Hit-and-Run Ends in Arrest After Suspect Tries to Escape by Uber In Poinciana

Joshua Avant Sims / Photo courtesy of Polk County Sheriff’s Office

By Staff Reporter

iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published February 10th, 2026

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Unlicensed Hit-and-Run Driver Arrested After Struggle With Deputy in Poinciana

POINCIANA, Fla. — An unlicensed driver accused of fleeing a hit-and-run crash was arrested Monday evening after struggling with a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy during his capture, according to authorities.

The crash was reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office around 5:53 p.m. on Monday, February 9, 2026, at Cypress Parkway and Solivita Boulevard. Deputies arrived to find two vehicles involved — a 2026 Cadillac sedan and a 2015 Dodge Ram truck.

Cypress Parkway and Solivita Boulevard / Apple Maps

According to investigators, a witness told deputies that the driver of the Dodge Ram fled the scene on foot. A deputy quickly located the suspect nearby, where he was reportedly attempting to arrange an Uber ride to leave the area.

The suspect initially refused to identify himself, telling deputies he did not have to. When deputies attempted to identify him through fingerprinting, the man physically resisted, grabbing the deputy and digging his fingers into the deputy’s arms. The resistance was unsuccessful, and deputies were able to take him into custody.

The suspect was later identified as 23-year-old Joshua Avant Sims of Davenport.

Sims denied being the driver of the Dodge Ram, despite a witness identifying him as the person behind the wheel. Deputies also found Sims in possession of the truck’s keys, along with a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.

Authorities say Sims did not have a valid driver’s license. Records show his license had been suspended multiple times — five times for failing to pay traffic fines — and was also suspended after he accumulated 12 points within a 12-month period.

Sims was transported to the Sheriff’s Processing Center and charged with:

Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer (F3)
Resisting with Violence (F3)
Driving While License Suspended or Revoked (M1)
Possession of Marijuana (M1)
Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M1)
Resisting Without Violence (M1)
Leaving the Scene of a Crash (M2)

No serious injuries were reported from the crash. The incident remains under investigation.

Stay with iSkyNews.com for continuing coverage of breaking news across Polk County.

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