Lake Wales Man Arrested After Two Hit-and-Run Crashes While Driving Impaired, Deputies Say

Juan Medina / Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Lake Wales Man Arrested After Two Hit-and-Run Crashes While Driving Impaired, Deputies Say

By Staff Reporter
iSkyNews.com (ISN) – Published March 13, 2026

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lake Wales man has been arrested after Polk County deputies say he caused two hit-and-run crashes within minutes of each other while driving under the influence Monday evening.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies arrested 43-year-old Juan Medina of Lake Wales following the crashes that occurred around 7:10 p.m. on March 9, 2026.

First Crash on US 27

Investigators say the first crash happened at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard.

According to deputies, a tan Toyota Camry rear-ended a silver Hyundai sedan that was stopped in the right turn lane. The Hyundai sustained significant rear-end damage, and the driver reported minor injuries.

Authorities say the driver of the Camry fled the scene before the victim could make contact.

Second Crash Minutes Later

Just five minutes later, deputies say the same Camry was involved in a second crash.

The Camry struck a white Chevrolet sedan traveling westbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard near Mahaffey Road. The driver and two passengers inside the Chevrolet reported back and neck pain following the collision.

Once again, the driver of the Camry left the scene without stopping, deputies said.

Vehicle Located at Elementary School

A witness from the second crash reported seeing an older tan sedan leaving the area with a male driver who appeared to have facial injuries.

Shortly afterward, another witness located the Camry parked on the grounds of Garden Grove Elementary School.

Deputies responded to the location and found the vehicle behind the school in a closed parking lot near the dumpsters.

Investigators say the Camry had heavy front-end damage consistent with both crashes, and the driver — later identified as Juan Medina — was still sitting in the running vehicle when deputies arrived.

When deputies made contact with Medina, they reported observing multiple signs of impairment, including:

Bloodshot and watery eyes
The odor of alcohol
Slurred speech
Difficulty maintaining balance

Deputies also observed that Medina had a large laceration on his forehead.

During the investigation, deputies discovered a brown paper bag on top of a nearby dumpster containing a nearly empty bottle of bourbon. Authorities say glass fragments on the bag matched damage to the vehicle’s windshield, and additional shards of glass were found inside the car and on Medina’s clothing.

According to investigators, Medina refused to answer questions about the crashes, his injuries, or alcohol consumption. He also refused to perform field sobriety exercises and later refused a breath test.

Emergency medical personnel evaluated Medina at the scene and cleared him medically.

On Felony Probation

Deputies later learned that Medina is currently on felony probation for trafficking in heroin, with probation active from 2021 through 2031.

Charges Filed

Medina was taken into custody and faces multiple charges, including:

Two counts of Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury (F3)
Two counts of DUI with Property Damage/Personal Injury (M1)
DUI (M2)
Refusal to Submit to Breath/Urine/Blood Test (M2)
Trespassing on School Grounds (M2)
Violation of Probation (M2)

Sheriff Speaks Out

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd condemned Medina’s actions, saying the situation could have ended far worse.

“This suspect made a series of dangerous choices that could have easily ended in tragedy,” Judd said. “He put innocent people in danger and then drove onto school property while impaired. Thankfully this happened after hours, but his actions were reckless and completely unacceptable.”

The investigation remains ongoing.

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