POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Two men were arrested Tuesday as part of an ongoing investigation into a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a Polk City man in April, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation began during the early morning hours of April 23, 2026, when deputies discovered 39-year-old Brandon Roy Moran of Polk City deceased on Fussell Road near Polk City. Moran was found near the four-wheeler he had been operating at the time of the crash.
Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit determined that a 2009-2014 Hyundai Sonata may have been involved in the collision.
Detectives later identified a 2012 Hyundai Sonata registered in Auburndale, approximately 11 miles from the crash scene. After locating the vehicle, investigators recovered evidence that confirmed it had been involved in the fatal crash.
Further investigation led detectives to identify 52-year-old Richard Slaughter of Lakeland as the alleged driver. Authorities said Slaughter’s cell phone records placed him in the area at the time of the crash.
Detectives spent weeks attempting to locate Slaughter before receiving a tip that he was staying at a residence in the 5500 block of Fussell Road.
On June 23, multiple sheriff’s office units responded to the property and established a perimeter around the residence.
According to investigators, deputies made contact with 71-year-old Stanley Walker, who allegedly told them Slaughter was not inside the home.
Despite those claims, deputies issued K-9 warnings before Slaughter eventually emerged from the residence and surrendered.
Both men were taken into custody and transported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center.
Slaughter was charged with:
- Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death, a first-degree felony
- Operating a Vehicle as a Habitual Traffic Offender, a third-degree felony
- Resisting Without Violence, a first-degree misdemeanor
Walker was charged with Accessory After the Fact in a First-Degree Felony.
The investigation remains ongoing.