News and Investigations

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit arrested a Haines City man for DUI manslaughter and other charges after a three-vehicle crash that occurred on Canal Road in Lake Wales which resulted in the death of a 17-year-old Haines City teen dirt bike driver.

Around 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, the PCSO ECC received calls regarding the crash on Canal Road just east of the intersection with Carol Place. Canal Road is a two-lane east and west roadway with double yellow lines in that area.

The crash involved the following vehicles, all of which were heading westbound:

A 2010 gray Ford F-150 pickup truck being driven by 53-year-old Ricky Morris Willis of Haines City.

A 2025 black Zhe Jiang Zuma dirt bike being driven by a 17-year-old Haines City teen.

A 2013 gray Volkswagen being driven by a 20-year-old Lake Wales woman.

According to the investigation so far, the Volkswagen was in front of the dirt bike and the truck, respectively, in the westbound lane. Willis, in the truck, entered into the eastbound lane across the double-yellow lines to pass both vehicles in front of him. While attempting to pass, the truck struck the side of the dirt bike, which was also in the eastbound lane, propelling it into the rear of the Volkswagen. The bike driver was ejected and slid off the roadway, ultimately suffering fatal injuries. The truck continued forward for a short time, then Willis turned around and returned to the scene to check on the other drivers. He had two teenagers in his truck at the time. There were no other passengers in or on the Volkswagen or bike. The driver of the Volkswagen was not injured.

Willis told deputies that he and the dirt bike rider knew each other and had just left the convenience store up the road. Willis has had a suspended license since 2016 and an outstanding warrant for failure to pay child support. While at the scene, he appeared to be impaired, and admitted to having had several beers that day. Deputies had him perform field sobriety tests, during which he showed signs of impairment.

Willis was booked in to the Polk County Jail and charged with DUI manslaughter (F2), DUI with property damage (M1), driving while license suspended (M1), and 2 counts child neglect (F3). While being booked in at the Polk County Jail, his breath alcohol level was measured at 0.071 G/201L and 0.070 G/210L (at 12:14 am), and a sample of his blood has been sent to FDLE for further testing.

Per a recent update to FSS 119.071 (House Bill 1113), names and personal identifying information about victims of crimes, including their family members’ or next of kin’s names, addresses, etc., will no longer be released.