DAVENPORT, FL — On January 30, 2026, a hit-and-run crash occurred in Polk County when a vehicle struck another from behind at a stop sign where the victim was attempting to turn south onto Lake Wilson Road.
The victim reported the incident to 911, stating that a silver Kia struck her vehicle. When she confronted the male driver, he fled southbound on Lake Wilson Road.
Detectives identified the suspect as Jose Valero-Colina, date of birth December 14, 1991, a resident of Orlando who is in the United States illegally from Venezuela.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) requested assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to Valero-Colina’s residence and spoke with his wife, who confirmed his involvement in the crash and stated he fled due to nervousness.
While deputies were on scene, Valero-Colina arrived in the silver Kia and agreed to return to Polk County to provide details about the crash.
Valero-Colina later met with PCSO deputies and admitted to striking the victim’s vehicle after failing to notice she had stopped at the intersection. He also admitted to leaving the scene out of fear.
In addition to the criminal charge for hit-and-run, Valero-Colina received two traffic citations: failure to give information at a crash and careless driving.
Deputies contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which confirmed his illegal status in the country. A detainer was placed on him at the jail.
Sheriff Grady Judd stated: “Our roads are safer when everyone follows the law. Leaving the scene of a crash puts others at risk, and we will always hold offenders accountable.”
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
