The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a fatal ATV incident that occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Rancho Bonito ATV park in Lakeland. The crash took place around 3:00 p.m. approximately 1.3 miles south of the main entrance.
The driver, 32-year-old Travis Sneden of Fort McCoy, Florida, was operating a 2018 green Kawasaki ATV. While attempting to descend a steep cut with an approximate 24-30 inch vertical drop, the front wheels proceeded straight down while the rear wheels remained on higher ground, causing the vehicle to flip over backward.
The ATV landed upside down, trapping Sneden and resulting in a fatal head injury. He was not wearing a helmet.The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
