Davenport, FL – On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, a tragic industrial accident at the Grand Pointe Apartments construction site on Founders Way in Davenport, Polk County, Florida, resulted in the death of Jose Lopez, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Angel Bautista Martinez, a co-worker who is in the country illegally, has been arrested and charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, for causing Lopez’s death. Due to Martinez’s illegal immigration status, detectives are submitting paperwork today, June 5, to have the charge upgraded to a first-degree felony. Martinez is scheduled for a first appearance hearing today, and an ICE hold is in effect at the Polk County Jail.
The incident occurred at a newly developed apartment complex managed by Hillpointe Construction, where New Generation Concrete was contracted to pave sidewalks.
According to the police report, deputies found Lopez deceased in front of a skid steer with severe head trauma, crushed by the loading bucket. Martinez claimed Lopez was leaning into the skid steer’s cab, tampering with the controls while standing beneath the bucket, and accidentally activated it, causing the fatal injury. Martinez insisted he was several feet away and never touched Lopez, stating the skid steer was unoccupied.
However, the investigation revealed inconsistencies. Blood spatter on Martinez’s pants suggested he was seated in the skid steer’s operating seat during the incident, contradicting his account. No footprints or blood evidence supported his claim of standing nearby.
A co-worker stated he saw the skid steer being operated while Lopez was in front of it, noting Martinez had been the primary operator that day and was likely in the cab. Another witness, confirmed via phone that he saw Martinez operating the skid steer but refused to return to the scene due to his own illegal status.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office determined probable cause that Martinez was operating the skid steer while Lopez was in a dangerous position beneath the bucket, an area not meant for human presence. This, combined with Martinez’s inability to explain the blood evidence, led to charges of culpable negligence.
The sheriff’s office noted that such heavy machinery is known to cause severe injuries or fatalities when misused, and Martinez’s actions violated Florida Statute 782.07 for manslaughter. The potential charge upgrade to a first-degree felony reflects heightened scrutiny of crimes involving illegal immigrants, a trend seen in recent Polk County cases.
Nothing further at this time.
