POLK CITY, FL — A man illegally in the United States from Mexico was taken into custody by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office late Friday night after crashing a borrowed truck into a concrete barrier and fleeing on foot while impaired.
The suspect, identified as Omar Sotero-Vera, was located following the incident that occurred around 10:45 p.m. on January 30, 2026, on State Road 33 North near Old Polk City Road in Polk City. A concerned witness called 911 to report that a black Nissan truck had struck a concrete barrier and that the driver—the vehicle’s sole occupant—had run from the scene into a nearby wooded area.
Deputies quickly responded and requested assistance from a drone unit. The drone operator located Sotero-Vera walking in the woods, allowing deputies to apprehend him without incident. The witness positively identified him at the scene.
During an interview, Sotero-Vera displayed visible injuries consistent with the crash and clear signs of impairment. He admitted to deputies that he fled because he was scared and did not have a valid driver’s license.
Deputies contacted the truck’s registered owner, who stated he had been out drinking with friends—including Sotero-Vera—after work. The owner arranged a ride home and left his keys with Sotero-Vera, asking him to move the truck to prevent it from being towed.
Sotero-Vera failed field sobriety tests, and his breath alcohol content registered at 0.143 and 0.139—well above Florida’s legal impairment threshold of 0.08.
Authorities notified U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which confirmed he had entered the country illegally three years earlier. An ICE detainer has been placed on him at the Polk County Jail.
Omar Sotero-Vera, DOB January 19, 2004, faces the following charges, each elevated one level due to his illegal immigration status:
• Leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage (M1)
• No valid driver’s license (M1)
• DUI (M1)
• DUI with property damage (F3)
Sheriff Grady Judd commended the response, stating: “I’m very proud of the witness who called us and the swift actions of my deputies who took this illegal criminal alien into custody. As drunk as he was it’s a miracle he didn’t hurt or kill anyone.”
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
