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Man Charged in Hit and Run That Killed Tampa Woman

charles lewis|Arrests|PolkCountySheriff

The Lake Wales man confessed, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

POLK COUNTY – A 71-year-old Lake Wales man has been charged in connection with an Oct. 29 hit-and-run crash that killed a Tampa woman and seriously injured a Polk County deputy.

Charles “Charlie” Lewis, 71, of 2853 Mar Lisa Cove Road, Lake Wales, was charged with one count each of with one count leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing serious bodily injury and leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing death, both first degree felonies. Further charges could be added, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, if impairment can be proven.

The arrest came about from an anonymous tip Heartland Crime Stoppers received Thursday (Nov. 3) about a truck that might have been involved in the hit-and-run crash. The crash happened about 12:40 a.m.in the grass median off of westbound State Road  60 in Lake Wales between Tiger Lake and Sam Keen Roads. Jessica Enchautegui-Otero of Tampa was killed and Polk Deputy Adam Pennell was seriously injured in the crash.

Deputies went to Mar Lisa Cove Road, off of Camp Mack Road, and saw a blue Ford F-150 heading down the road, leaving the residential area. They stopped the truck and talked with the driver, who was identified as Lewis.

Deputies said Lewis made a full confession. He told deputies he was at a party on Friday (Oct. 28) night in Indian Lake Estates where he consumed beers and then drove home. Deputies said Lewis told them he knew he hit something but didn’t know what he hit. He expressed remorse at killing Ms. Enchautegui-Otero and injuring Pennell.

“Never underestimate the power of the community,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. “Thanks to an anonymous tip, we were able to solve this case, and help bring some closure to these two
families whose lives were forever changed by the reckless actions of Charlie Lewis.”

For information about the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, go to polksheriff.org.

Polk County Sheriff | Arrests | Hit and Run | Jessica Enchautegui-Otero | Adam Pennell | TB Reporter

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