Frostproof man charged with vehicular manslaughter after fatal wrong-way crash on SR 60
LAKE WALES — A Frostproof man was charged with vehicular homicide Sunday after authorities say he drove in the wrong lane on State Road 60 and caused a fatal crash.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said Mark Anthony Poe, 39, caused the the crash on SR 60 East at Stokes Road that resulted in the death of a 27-year-old Lake Wales woman.
Sheriff's officials said Poe was driving a white 2009 Chevrolet Silverado pickup with three passengers west in the eastbound lanes about 3:20 a.m.
At the same time, the Lake Wales woman was driving a white 2017 Volkswagen Jetta east in the eastbound lanes when she was hit head-on by Poe's truck.
The driver of the Volkswagen died at the scene, officials said. The passengers in Poe’s vehicle were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released. Poe remains in the hospital.
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Poe's first appearance hearing will be scheduled once he's released and taken to the Polk County Jail, the Sheriff's Office said in the news release Monday.
The Sheriff's Office said Poe had bloodshot eyes and slurred speech when deputies identified him as the driver.
"Additionally, deputies smelled an odor of alcohol in the Silverado and found an open beer bottle on the rear floorboard," the news release said. "Also located was an open bottle of Jack Daniels Fire Whiskey on the grass median just north of the Silverado."
Officials said the investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges are likely.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Frostproof man charged in deadly wrong-way crash on SR 60
