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.

Apr 15, 2025

PCSO makes an arrest for fatal Winter Haven crash in January; driver charged with DUI and Vehicular Homicide

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

A driver involved in a fatal crash in Winter Haven back in January has been arrested by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office after test results showed the man was driving under the influence of alcohol.

The crash occurred on State Road 60 at Logistics Parkway at 4:25 am, Saturday, January 25, 2025.

35-year old Orli Dagoberto Argueta Sanchez of Honduras was killed in the head-on crash when his 2004 Nissan Sentra was hit by a 2022 Hyundai Sonata that was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes.

On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, detectives from the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit arrested Sergio Nino Ramirez, 27, of Lake Wales, and charged him with DUI Causing Death (F2) and Vehicular Homicide (F2). Ramirez is a US citizen.

“An innocent man was killed in that horrendous crash nearly three months ago, but Sergio Ramirez’s life goes on. My detectives are the best at what they do, and they have built a very strong case that should result in Ramirez getting the justice he deserves.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The detectives had to obtain warrants to get Ramirez’s blood that was taken at the hospital following the crash. The blood was then delivered to the toxicology lab at the University of Florida and tested.

Lab results showed that Ramirez had a blood alcohol content of 0.12 g/100mL at the time that he was admitted at the hospital, after the crash. The legal limit is 0.08 g/100mL.

The detectives also examined the Crash Data Retrieval (CDR) from Ramirez’s car. It showed that there was no braking or other driver input just prior to the collision.

Following his arrest, Ramirez was taken to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and booked-in. He currently has no bond, and will have First Appearance Wednesday.