LAKELAND, FL – Lakeland man is facing felony charges after deputies say he caused a crash involving an ambulance transporting a patient, then fled the scene Tuesday morning.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred at approximately 9:00 a.m. on June 30, 2026, on Harden Boulevard near the intersection of Ariana Street in Lakeland. Investigators said the ambulance was traveling northbound and was not operating in emergency mode when a southbound white Volkswagen Jetta made a U-turn in front of it, entered the ambulance’s lane, and collided with the vehicle.
Deputies said the driver of the Jetta left the scene without stopping. A paramedic riding in the back of the ambulance suffered a minor neck injury and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Deputies later located the registered owner of the Volkswagen, who told investigators her nephew, 41-year-old Gregory McManus, had been driving the vehicle. McManus was found asleep on a couch at the residence. After being awakened, he admitted he had been involved in the crash but claimed the ambulance driver was at fault.
Investigators said video from the ambulance showed McManus caused the crash. He was arrested and taken to the Polk County Sheriff’s Processing Center. Deputies also reported McManus was uncooperative during his arrest and refused to exit the patrol vehicle, resulting in an additional charge.
McManus is charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Injury, a third-degree felony, and Resisting an Officer Without Violence, a first-degree misdemeanor.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
