Polk County officials are on the hunt for a 30‑year‑old Lakeland man suspected of a fatal hit‑and‑run that claimed a motorcyclist’s life last month.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office named Carlos Alberto Escobar Gonzalez as the suspect, charging him with leaving a fatal crash scene and driving without a valid license. Deputies highlighted Gonzalez as their “Warrant of the Day” after the tragedy.
Investigators reported that the crash occurred on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at the Wabash Avenue and Parker Street West intersection, just near Gonzalez’s residence. Detectives say Gonzalez was behind the wheel of a red Chevrolet Suburban when he veered straight into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
Witnesses say Gonzalez exited the SUV after the impact, glanced at the injured rider, then climbed back in and fled. Deputies later found the abandoned Suburban on a street north of the crash scene. The motorcyclist succumbed to injuries from the collision.
Sheriff’s officials note that Gonzalez never held a valid driver’s license. His driving privileges were suspended indefinitely in 2021 after multiple traffic offenses, and he was arrested in 2024 for operating a vehicle with a suspended license. Authorities also suspect he may be in the country illegally.
Detectives think Gonzalez has left Florida and are urging the public to share any tips that could help locate him.
If you have information about Gonzalez’s whereabouts, please call Detective S. Tidwell at 863‑668‑3106. You can remain anonymous and may qualify for a cash reward by contacting Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1‑888‑400‑TIPS (8477), texting TIPS, visiting heartlandcrimestoppers.com, or using the P3tips mobile app.
Leave a Reply