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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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.
Mar 12, 2026
One child killed and another critically injured from a hit & run crash near Winter Haven Wednesday night
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey
UPDATE TO HIT-AND-RUN FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION:
After an around-the-clock investigation, the Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit, assisted by patrol units and real-time crime analysts, located and took into custody the suspect responsible for running over two children and then fleeing the scene last evening.
The suspect is Victoria Ashton Johnson, DOB 10/14/1995, of Thornhill Road in Winter Haven. She will be booked into the Polk County Jail this evening.
The suspect vehicle - a 2009 blue Hyundai Santa Fe - was located and seized from a residence on SR 60 East in Lake Wales. The investigation is ongoing on how and why it ended up there.
During a preliminary search of the vehicle, detectives were able to locate damage, missing parts, and potential biological matter on the vehicle consistent with a pedestrian strike. A complete forensic analysis of the vehicle along with Johnson's cell phone will be conducted.
Probable cause was established to charge Johnson with Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Bodily Injury, Tampering with Evidence, Filing a False Police Report, and Driving While License Suspended/Revoked.
Her criminal history includes a November 2025 arrest by the Winter Haven Police Department for DUI.
"I am so very proud of my detectives and analysts - who are the very best in the business - for their tenacity and determination which ultimately led to this suspect being taken into custody. Please keep these children's families in your prayers." - Grady Judd, Sheriff
ORIGINAL NEWS RELEASE:
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are trying to find the driver responsible for hitting two young children outside of their church Wednesday night, March 11, 2026.
An 8-year old child died from his injuries, the other child who is 10-years old, has been hospitalized with a broken leg, broken arm, and a skull fracture… he is in critical condition. The children, who are not siblings, were there for a church function.
PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:25 pm to Faith Baptist Church at 2140 Crystal Beach Road in Winter Haven, just off of Winter Lake Road (CR 540).
According to Traffic Homicide detectives’ preliminary investigation, the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road about to cross the street.
After a truck passed, the children began to make their way across the street toward the church, but they were both hit by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle, continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road, and turned in an unknown direction. Witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
“Our detectives and crime analysts have been working all night using every available resource to identify the vehicle, and ultimately the driver who chose to flee rather than help those two children. We are praying for the families and friends of the children, and for the child who is in hospital bed fighting for his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Anyone who has any information about this hit and run is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you have information and want to remain anonymous, you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.
An 8-year old child died from his injuries, the other child who is 10-years old, has been hospitalized with a broken leg, broken arm, and a skull fracture… he is in critical condition. The children, who are not siblings, were there for a church function.
PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:25 pm to Faith Baptist Church at 2140 Crystal Beach Road in Winter Haven, just off of Winter Lake Road (CR 540).
According to Traffic Homicide detectives’ preliminary investigation, the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road about to cross the street.
After a truck passed, the children began to make their way across the street toward the church, but they were both hit by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle, continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road, and turned in an unknown direction. Witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
“Our detectives and crime analysts have been working all night using every available resource to identify the vehicle, and ultimately the driver who chose to flee rather than help those two children. We are praying for the families and friends of the children, and for the child who is in hospital bed fighting for his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Anyone who has any information about this hit and run is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you have information and want to remain anonymous, you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.