Winter Haven, FL – On August 16, 2025, at approximately 7:00 p.m., Polk County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 34-year-old Roberto Sandobal-Lopez, a Nicaraguan national illegally residing in the United States, following a vehicle crash on Spirit Lake Road near Coleman Road. Sandobal-Lopez allegedly drove a white Honda into a fenced yard, causing property damage, and then fled the scene on foot.
Witnesses reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office, describing the driver as the sole occupant of the vehicle. Deputies located Sandobal-Lopez walking near the crash site. Upon contact, deputies noted watery, bloodshot eyes and detected the odor of alcohol. Sandobal-Lopez admitted to consuming six bottles of Modelo beer around 5:00 p.m. that evening. Field sobriety tests indicated multiple signs of impairment, and breath tests recorded blood alcohol concentrations of 0.13 and 0.124.
Sandobal-Lopez was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with DUI with property damage (third-degree felony), DUI (first-degree misdemeanor), leaving the scene of a crash with property damage (first-degree misdemeanor), and driving without a valid license (first-degree misdemeanor). Each charge was enhanced by one degree under Florida law due to his immigration status.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated, “Our illegal guest from Nicaragua could have very easily injured someone, or destroyed a family while driving drunk — fortunately it was only a fence he destroyed. And then he cowardly walked away from the scene and responsibility. In Florida, if you’re committing the crime of being here illegally, your other criminal charges are enhanced one degree; he’s now facing a serious felony because he caused damage to property while driving under the influence.”
Nothing further at this time.
Source: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
