WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A 23‑year‑old man from Winter Haven is now facing several charges after he crashed his car, fled the scene, and later posted a blood‑alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a two‑vehicle collision on Buckeye Loop Road around 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. When they arrived, both cars were damaged, but only one driver remained at the scene.
The driver who stayed told deputies that the other motorist exited a blue Ford Focus and ran off on foot immediately after the crash. Polk County Fire Rescue treated that driver at the scene for minor injuries; the individual declined transport to a hospital.
Deputies canvassed the area and soon found the missing driver, identified as Matthew Gonzalez, in a nearby neighborhood. Investigators noted several obvious signs of impairment when they approached him.
During questioning, Gonzalez admitted he walked away from the crash, saying he ran “because he was scared.” He also confessed to drinking three shots of tequila before getting behind the wheel.
Deputies placed Gonzalez in custody and took him to the Sheriff’s Processing Center. Breath samples showed blood‑alcohol concentrations of 0.208 and 0.198, far exceeding Florida’s legal limit of 0.080.
Gonzalez was booked on three counts: leaving the scene of a crash involving injury, driving under the influence causing injury, and driving under the influence with a blood‑alcohol level above 0.150.
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