LAKELAND, FL – An unidentified 19-year-old Lakeland woman riding a stand-up scooter was struck by a vehicle Saturday morning, January 7, 2023.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the crash on Reynolds Road at Lisa Lane in Lakeland at approximately 6:27 am.
After the victim was taken to a local hospital with serious head and leg injuries, deputies immediately began investigating the identity of the driver who fled.
During the preliminary investigation, it was determined that the victim was traveling north on Reynolds Road near the center of the northbound lane when she was struck from behind and landed on the hood of the vehicle. The victim then fell into the east shoulder of the road.
Several broken pieces from the suspect’s vehicle were left at the scene of the crash, and detectives were able to determine the make/model, year range, and color of the suspect’s vehicle from these pieces. As a possible suspect, a Crime Analyst identified 64-year-old William Anderson of Lakeland.
“The detectives and crime analyst on this case did extraordinary work in getting this suspect locked up so fast; he was in our jail within eight hours of him leaving his victim on the side of the road to die,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “The victim is in critical, but stable condition, and we pray for her quick and full recovery.”
As detectives approached Anderson’s home, he opened the door and said, “I was waiting for you to come look for me.”
According to Anderson, he admitted to the hit-and-run and said he parked the vehicle behind his house in order to hide it from law enforcement.