It’ll be a somber day at a school in Polk County. A 10th grade girl at Winter Haven High School was killed yesterday morning in a school bus crash. The sheriff’s office says a car crossed the center line and hit the back of the bus, which then swerved into the opposite lane and hit a Jeep, head-on. The driver of the Jeep died and at least five others were hurt, with one in critical condition. Sheriff Grady Judd says it’s the most horrific bus crash he can remember.
A fatal crash shut down part of US-17 northbound in Wauchula Monday evening. The crash happened south of Sterner Road, with multiple injuries reported and a fatality later confirmed. Emergency crews responded to the scene, and the crash caused significant traffic delays as law enforcement investigated. One lane was reopened while the investigation continued, before the highway was fully cleared and reopened later that night.
A Highlands County man accused of aggravated manslaughter in the death of his nine-year-old autistic daughter is now blaming the pond where she was found. Deputies found the girl unresponsive in a nearby pond in September 2024. Desi Maura has repeatedly written to the judge, claiming he was asleep when she left the home and arguing the pond was a dangerous “death trap.” Maura has pleaded innocent, and his trial date has not yet been set.
A Polk County jury is recommending life in prison for Tony Wiggins, convicted in the 2020 murders of Brandon Rollins, Keven Springfield and Damion Tillman during a fishing trip in Frostproof. After hearing testimony during the penalty phase, jurors recommended life sentences on all three first-degree murder counts. A judge is expected to formally sentence Wiggins Friday.