BARTOW, Fla. – An accused drunk driver is behind bars after investigators say he hit and killed a retired Polk County deputy on Monday night time.
The backstory:
In accordance with the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace, 69-year-old Dan Cooley of Bartow, a retired Polk County deputy, had pulled his automobile over onto the northern fringe of Van Fleet Drive and acquired out of his automobile to take away a big tote that had fallen from his automobile and was making a roadway hazard within the middle lane.
Investigators say 50-year-old Aaron Wells of Winter Haven, was driving a 2008 Jaguar S-type westbound within the middle lane and hit Cooley earlier than coming to a cease.
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First responders arrived and carried out life-saving measures on Cooley and took him to Bartow Regional Medical Heart. He was resuscitated a number of occasions however in the end died from his accidents.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd with Sergeant Dan Cooley. Picture is courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace.
Dig deeper:
Deputies on the scene stated Wells had slurred speech, watery eyes and smelled like alcohol. They added that Wells confirmed indicators of impairment whereas performing discipline sobriety checks.
After being arrested, deputies say he tried to govern the breath alcohol take a look at by not offering ample breath on the sheriff’s processing middle.
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Aaron Wells mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace.
In accordance with PCSO, the take a look at nonetheless measured his breath samples at .092 and .105 (the authorized threshold is .08). Deputies stated he advised them that he drank a number of beers previous to driving. In accordance with investigators, an 11-year-old lady was additionally within the automotive, and was not injured.
Wells was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with DUI manslaughter and negligent little one abuse.
What they’re saying:
“Sergeant Dan Cooley was a public servant for over 20 years, and had been having fun with retirement for almost as lengthy, when he was tragically and senselessly struck and killed by an impaired motorist,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “The driving force clearly has no regard for human life – not solely selecting to get behind the wheel drunk, however doing so with a baby within the automotive. Our prayers are with Dan Cooley’s household and family members.”
Sergeant Dan Cooley was employed as a detention deputy in March 1986. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in January 2002, and he retired in June 2007.
The Supply: This story was written with info offered by the Polk County Sheriff’s Workplace.
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