HAINES CITY, FL — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a fatal traffic crash that claimed the life of off-duty Detention Deputy Jonathan Morales Pabon, 32, on Interstate 4 near Haines City Tuesday night.
The crash occurred at approximately 10:30 p.m. on June 9, 2026. Deputy Jonathan Morales Pabon was the front-seat passenger in a red Nissan Rogue traveling eastbound on I-4 and driven by a 21-year-old Lake Wales woman.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the Nissan had just passed beneath the U.S. Highway 27 overpass when the driver suddenly applied the brakes and crossed several lanes of traffic in an attempt to exit the interstate. The Nissan entered the path of a Ford F-350 traveling eastbound in the far-right lane at highway speed and was struck by the truck.
The impact caused Morales Pabon, who was reclined in his seat, to slide into the rear portion of the SUV, where he suffered a fatal head injury.
The driver of the Nissan sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The driver of the Ford F-350, a 38-year-old Orlando man, was not injured.
The Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit continues to investigate the crash.
Morales Pabon joined the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in March 2021 and was officially sworn in during an oath of office ceremony on May 17, 2021. He was assigned to the South County Jail in Frostproof and lived in Davenport.
Before joining PCSO, Morales Pabon served as a corrections officer with the Florida Department of Corrections from 2018 to 2021. In addition to his Florida corrections certification, he earned an associate degree in HVAC from the Technical Career Institute in New York.
Originally from New York City, Morales Pabon dedicated several years of his career to public service and corrections work.
Sheriff Grady Judd expressed condolences on behalf of the agency.
“We are all grieving at the loss of this great young deputy who has well and faithfully served with our agency for the past five years, and was a public servant for several years prior to that. He will be greatly missed. Please keep his family in your prayers,” Judd said.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office extended its condolences to Morales Pabon’s family, friends, and fellow deputies during this difficult time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Editor Note: The team at Eye In The Sky News extends our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Detention Deputy Jonathan Morales Pabon. Our thoughts are with all who knew and loved him.
