A Central Florida man was apprehended for two hit-and-run crashes while driving impaired.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested Juan Medina, 43, of Lake Wales in Central Florida, after he caused two hit-and-run accidents while driving under the influence.
The first collision happened at the crossroads of US Highway 27 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard, when a tan Toyota Camry rear-ended a silver Hyundai sedan in the right turn lane. The Hyundai had considerable rear-end damage, and the driver suffered minor injuries. According to police, the Camry driver fled the scene before the victim could contact them.
About five minutes later, the same Camry collided with a white Chevrolet sedan heading westbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard near Mahaffey Road. The driver and two passengers experienced back and neck aches. According to police, the Camry departed again without stopping.
A witness to the second incident described seeing an older tan vehicle leave the scene with a male driver who had apparent facial injuries. Shortly after, another witness saw the Camry parked on the grounds of Garden Grove Elementary School.
Polk County deputies came and discovered the vehicle behind the school, in a closed parking lot near the trash. The Camry’s front end was heavily damaged, consistent with both crashes.
The driver, Juan Medina, remained sitting in the running vehicle. Deputies made contact and noticed several symptoms of impairment, including bloodshot, watery eyes; an odor of alcohol; slurred speech; and difficulties keeping balance. Medina also suffered a huge laceration on his forehead.
On top of a neighboring dumpster, deputies discovered a brown paper bag carrying a practically empty bottle of bourbon. The bag included glass fragments that were consistent with the shattered windshield. Additional glass shards were discovered inside the vehicle and on Medina’s clothing.
According to local law enforcement, Medina declined to answer questions about the crashes, his injuries, or his alcohol intake. He also declined field sobriety exercises and a breath test. EMS checked him for injuries and cleared him on the spot.
Deputies discovered that Medina is now on felony probation for heroin trafficking, which runs from 2021 to 2031.
Medina was arrested and charged with two charges of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in harm, two counts of DUI with property damage/personal injury, DUI, refusal to submit to a breath/urine/blood test, trespassing on school grounds, and probation violation.
“This suspect made a series of dangerous choices that could have easily ended in tragedy,” stated Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “He put innocent people at danger and then drove onto school grounds while intoxicated. Thankfully, this occurred after hours, but his actions were dangerous and utterly inappropriate.”
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