Three people have died following an airboat accident in Highlands County. Florida Fish and Wildlife officials say seven people were traveling to the Kissimmee River on June 15th when the airboat began taking on water near the Istokpoga Canal and capsized. Four occupants were able to make it safely to shore, while three others were reported missing. Authorities have now confirmed all three missing occupants have been recovered deceased. The incident remains under investigation.
A St. Petersburg man is facing multiple charges after an undercover child luring investigation in Highlands County. Deputies say 44-year-old David Letro believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old from Sebring and arranged to meet the teen at an Avon Park Walgreens on June 13th. Investigators took Letro into custody when he arrived. He faces charges including using a computer to lure a child and traveling to meet a minor after online solicitation.
A routine traffic stop in Fort Meade led to the arrest of a wanted Bartow man. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy stopped a red Ford Mustang on June 12th after the driver allegedly ran a stop sign. A records check revealed 24-year-old Cameron Chambers had an active felony warrant from St. Johns County for grand theft. Chambers was taken into custody without incident and booked on the outstanding warrant.
A pilot is dead after an experimental aircraft broke apart mid-air and crashed into a remote pasture in Polk County Monday evening. Sheriff Grady Judd says the single-seat plane went down near Lakeland while the pilot was flying with a friend to practice formation flying. The second pilot reportedly witnessed the aircraft come apart before it plunged to the ground. The pilot was pronounced dead at the scene. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.