News and Investigations

A man who fled from a fatal crash in Polk County on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, was arrested about 24-hours later, after Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office diligently worked to locate the suspect’s vehicle.

46-year old Edy Juarez Granados of Plant City was arrested Thursday evening at his home, and was charged with: Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death (F1), Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Injury (F3, 3-counts), Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Property Damage (M2, 3-counts), and Driving with No Valid License (M2). Juarez Granados is also in the United States illegally, so U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was notified—an ICE hold has been placed on Juarez Granados. 

The crash occurred at around 6:11 p.m., Wednesday, on US 17, near the intersection of County Road 640 in Homeland (south of Bartow).

21-year old Tyler Baysden of Jacksonville, North Carolina was killed in the crash. He was the driver of a 2006 Infiniti G35. His passenger, suffered a broken leg and abrasions and was taken to a local hospital.

Juarez Granados was driving a 2001 Nissan Frontier, which was also recovered by detectives at the suspect’s residence.

Two other vehicles, a 2021 Jeep Compass and a dump truck were also involved in the crash. The occupants of those vehicles suffered very minor injuries.

When deputies arrived at the crash scene, Juarez Granados and his Nissan were gone.

Dash camera video from the commercial dump truck, as well as other evidence and witness statements, showed that Juarez Granados lost control of his Nissan truck during a light rain while driving northbound on US 17, south of the intersection with County Road 640. His vehicle crossed over the median while rotating counterclockwise and entered the south bound lane. His truck struck Mr. Baysden’s Infinity, causing it to lose control and cross over into the northbound lane. 

Mr. Baysden’s Infiniti then struck the other two vehicles, and Juarez Granados drove back into the northbound lanes and left the area.

“From the beginning of this investigation, our detectives and crime analysts did a fantastic job locating the suspect and vehicle so quickly. This suspect had no valid license and was in the country illegally--he should not have been driving in Florida. Because he was, an innocent person is dead.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff 

Juarez Granados admitted to detectives that he was involved in the crash and then refused to answer further questions. 

Juarez Granados is know to sell ice-cream from the truck in the Fort Meade area—there were two commercial-type ice-cream coolers in the back of the Nissan when it was located.

Due to his arrest taking place in Plant City, Edy Juarez Granados was booked into the Hillsborough County Jail with no bond, and is awaiting extradition to the Polk County Jail.