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News & Investigations
News Releases and Public Information
Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.
PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Alicia Manautou. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.
The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.
Jun 17, 2022
Davenport man arrested for leaving the scene of a fatal crash
Media Contact: Alicia Manautou, PIO
On Friday, June 17, 2022, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit arrested
24-year-old David Syking Street, Jr. after he left the scene of a crash where a 41-year-old Clermont man died.
On Friday, at around 12:50 a.m., the PCSO Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call regarding an unconscious man found in the median on U.S. 27 and Polo Park Blvd. in Davenport. PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue personnel responded to the scene where they found the Clermont man deceased in the median.
It is believed that the victim was walking along the highway when he was struck by an unknown vehicle that did not stop to render aid following the crash.
Shortly after, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a white sedan fail to stop at a stop sign. The vehicle had heavy front end damage to the bumper, hood, passenger side mirror, and half of the windshield. When the LCSO deputies turned on their emergency lights and attempted to stop the car, it fled at what LCSO reported to be in excess of 100 miles per hour. The sedan ran additional stop signs and red lights while evading the deputies.
The sedan had a Florida tag (JRWA73) which was used to identify the vehicle as a white 2011 Infiniti, and locate the owner, David Street, Jr. PCSO detectives went to the residence where the vehicle was registered, where Street later arrived. Detectives arrested him for Leaving the Scene of a Crash Resulting in Death (F1).
Street admitted to detectives that he was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash and did not stop to help or call law enforcement. He told detectives he drove to his home in Davenport and did not report the crash.
Street was transported to the Polk County Jail where he is currently being held with no bond.
“This suspect admitted to deputies that he hit something and drove off. He didn’t stop. He didn’t call law enforcement. He did nothing. We all have an obligation to stop after a crash and render aid if needed. I’m grateful our deputies were able to solve this case quickly and hold Mr. Street accountable.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff