Local Bicyclist Killed During Hit-and-Run Crash in Polk County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on April 3, 2023

According to a recently released report from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, a 29-year-old man has been taken into custody for his alleged connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed a bicyclist on U.S. Highway 92 over the weekend.

It was shortly after 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023, when authorities with the Auburndale Police Department were alerted to an auto accident involving a pickup near the Walmart located along U.S. 92 in Polk County. Collision details indicate that 29-year-old Lakeland resident Colten McMullen was driving his truck near the popular big box store when he crashed into a vehicle and then fled the scene down U.S. 92 in the westbound direction.

After driving away from the first crash site for approximately two miles, McMullen’s truck rear-ended another motorist in the area. The impact from the second collision caused the pickup to veer over to the side of the road where it then slammed into a 37-year-old man from Lakeland who was riding a bicycle. Once again, Colten McMullen drove away from the scene of the accident. The bicyclist sustained severe injuries and was declared dead by Polk County emergency response teams.

Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office finally located the hit-and-run suspect a few miles down the road just west of Old Dixie Highway after his pickup truck had become undrivable from the previous collisions. Colten McMullen was arrested and has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and leaving the scene of a crash causing property damage. He is currently in the Polk County Jail with no bond. McMullen could face additional charges depending on the outcome of blood/alcohol and toxicology test results. He allegedly told officers that he had been “drinking at a bar along Recker Highway” before the fatal hit-and-run collision occurred.

Since 1977, Polk County wrongful death lawyer James O. Cunningham has been compassionately representing families who have lost a loved one due to the negligence of another motorist. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please contact our firm today at 877-FL-INJURY.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.