On December 31, 2024, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested 30-year-old Kody Jo Wills of Lakeland, Florida, on charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI causing serious bodily injury, and two counts of negligent child abuse. The charges stem from a November 7, 2024, crash that resulted in the death of Wills’ five-year-old daughter and severe injuries to his three-year-old son.
The crash occurred at approximately 6:26 p.m. on Broadway Street near Lake Parker Drive in Lakeland. Wills ran a stop sign, crossed the roadway, and struck a tree. His 2013 Kia caught fire, killing his daughter and leaving his son with serious burns to the face.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigators determined there was no evidence of pre-impact braking, indicating Wills failed to stop at the intersection. Toxicology reports revealed Wills’ blood alcohol content was .25, three times the legal limit of .08, at the time of the crash.
According to the affidavit, Wills admitted to drinking earlier in the day and stated he was driving his children home after picking them up from their grandfather’s house. Deputies at the hospital noted the odor of alcohol on Wills’ breath, and initial sobriety tests revealed signs of impairment.
A legal blood draw conducted as part of the investigation confirmed Wills’ elevated blood alcohol level. Medical records documented a diagnosis of “alcohol intoxication” during his treatment for injuries sustained in the crash, including a broken ankle and multiple fractured ribs.
Wills was booked into the Polk County Jail and will make his first court appearance on January 1, 2025. Sheriff Grady Judd emphasized the devastating consequences of Wills’ actions, stating, “Nothing will bring this beautiful child back to her family, nor heal the injuries to her brother or the emotional devastation that Kody Wills has caused to so many people.”
The investigation and charges aim to ensure accountability for the tragedy, with Sheriff Judd urging the community to keep the family in their prayers.
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