A Guatemalan woman living in the U.S. illegally was arrested early Wednesday after her vehicle rolled backward and crashed into a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s patrol car during a traffic stop in Lakeland. Deputies said the crash occurred around 3:15 a.m. at Wabash Avenue and Dille Street, with minimal damage to both vehicles.
WHO:A Guatemalan woman identified as Andres; a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy
WHAT:Arrested after backing into a deputy’s patrol vehicle during a traffic stop; deputy learned she lacked a valid driver’s license and was in the U.S. illegally
WHEN:Sep 3, 2026
WHERE:Lakeland, Florida (intersection of Wabash Avenue and Dille Street)
WHY:Andres told the deputy she accidentally put the vehicle in neutral instead of park, causing it to roll backward.
Reporting from 1 identified publisher for this event.
