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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.
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Feb 1, 2021
Polk County Schools employee arrested for DUI following a single-vehicle crash
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested an employee of the Polk County School Board on Sunday afternoon, January 31, 2021, after she was involved in a single-vehicle crash near Lake Wales.
Amy Steele, 45, of Lake Wales, crashed a black 2012 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck into a barbed wire fence at 5571 Lake Mabel Loop Road at around 4:03 PM. She was not injured.
Ms. Steele is currently employed by the Polk County School Board in the Curriculum and Instruction Department as a Social Science Coach.
“Educators need to conduct themselves in a manner which sets a good example to children. That’s the expectation we have for our firefighters, people in the medical field, politicians, clergy, and of course, law enforcement. Thankfully, this was not a serious crash, but the issue of driving while impaired is still a very serious problem.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
According to the arrest affidavit, the deputy who responded to the crash, reported that she smelled the odor of alcoholic beverage coming from Ms. Steele, whose eyes looked bloodshot and watery.
A Field Sobriety Test resulted with the determination that Ms. Steele was impaired, and had been driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. She was arrested and transported to the Polk County Jail, where she was charged with Driving Under the Influence with Property Damage (M1).
Ms. Steele provided two breath samples, .183 and .178 grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath. A person is in violation if their breath sample results in 0.08 or more grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath.
Please direct any inquiries regarding Amy Steele’s employment to the Polk County School Board.