A suspect has been arrested in connected to a fatal hit-and-run crash in Polk County that killed a woman and injured a deputy, officials stated.
- Charles Lewis, 71, arrested in fatal hit-and-run
- Lewis told deputies he had been drinking before the incident
- Deputies said an anonymous tip lead to the arrest
The suspect identified as Charles “Charlie” Lewis, 71, of Lake Wales, was arrested Thursday, deputies in Polk County stated. He is charged with leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing death.
The crash happened the morning of Oct. 29 on State Road 60 in Lake Wales. According to PSCO, Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell stopped along the road to help Jessica Enchautegui-Otero, 33, after he spotted her standing in the median. Enchautegui-Otero told Pennell that she had crashed her car into a tree nearby and needed help. As Pennell began helping her, an oncoming vehicle slammed into them, killing Enchautegui-Otero and injuring Pennell.
According to investigators, Lewis was at a party Friday night in Indian Lake Estates and had been drinking.
Lewis told deputies that he knew he hit something, but didn’t know what it was, said Sheriff Grady Judd. According to deputies, Lewis “expressed remorse at killing Jessica Enchautegui-Otero and injuring Deputy Sheriff Adam Pennell.”
Investigators said they were able to make an arrest thanks to an anonymous tip to Heartland Crime Stoppers.
“Never underestimate the power of community,” said Judd. “Thanks to an anonymous tip, we were able to solve this case, and help bring some closure to these two families whose lives were forever changed by the reckless actions of Charlie Lewis.”
Lewis was booked into the Polk County Jail. He is expected to make his first court appearance Friday afternoon.