On November 24, 2021, Michelle English visited multiple bars in Lakeland with her friend Lucretia Bruno, who was heavily drinking. Bruno left the bar and drove to a WAWA convenience store. After showing signs of impairment, the store clerk was given her keys by another customer who had observed Bruno with obvious signs of impairment. Bruno called her friend, Michelle English, who arrived at WAWA and asked the clerk to give her Bruno’s keys. Video surveillance showed English handing Bruno her car keys and Bruno leaving the store. Bruno immediately drove to I-4 and caused a crash that resulted in a fatality. Bruno’s DUI Manslaughter case is still pending. The case was investigated by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorney Monica Smith and Josie Colon.

On February 22, 2020, Charles Polen and the victim got into a verbal argument at “The Coop” located in Babson Park. The victim left the establishment and proceeded to walk on the side of the road. When the defendant finished his beer, he got into his vehicle and ran over the victim causing blunt force trauma to her head. Instead of stopping, Polen drove back to The Coop and parked his car. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.  Polen was sentenced to 30 year in the Florida State Prison followed by 15 years of probation for DUI Manslaughter, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death, and Driving Without a Driver’s License. State Attorney Brian Haas thanks Assistant State Attorney Rachelle Williamson and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for their work on this case.