News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Aug 16, 2018

Lakeland man arrested one month after fatal crash in Highlands City

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested 22-year-old Brondon Manning of Lakeland, Wednesday, August 15, 2018, for his part in a fatal crash last month in Highlands City.

27-year-old Daniel Bagwell of Bartow died at the scene of the July 6, 2018 crash, after he was impaled by a piece of vinyl fence. Manning, who suffered only minor abrasions, described a road-rage scenario to deputies immediately following the crash.

"Through investigative work, collection and analysis of evidence, interviews with witnesses, and forensic math, it became obvious that both drivers in this case were willing participants in high speed street racing. This is a terrible reminder that street racing is dangerous and can sometimes result in death."- Grady Judd, Sheriff.

Video evidence and witness accounts revealed that the two men were racing each other at speeds over 90 mph (in a 50 mph area), when Manning lost control of his car, and struck Bagwell's truck.

Manning was charged with Vehicular Homicide (F-2) and Participating in an Unlawful Race (M-1).