Sorrento

Collision with truck kills Sorrento motorcyclist Wednesday

SORRENTO, Fla. —A Sorrento man was killed early Wednesday evening after a pickup truck turned in front of him, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 65-year-old man was riding a 2001 Yamaha motorcycle eastbound on State Road 46, also known as Sorrento Avenue, when a 49-year-old Apopka man driving a 2020 Chevy Silverado attempted to make a left turn into a parking lot near 4th Street. The front of the motorcycle collided with the Silverado and the impact killed the motorcyclist just after 6 p.m., FHP said. The driver of the Silverado was not injured.

Collision with truck kills Sorrento motorcyclist Wednesday Read More »

Sorrento man killed after crashing dirt bike in forest Sunday

  OCALA NATIONAL FOREST—A Sorrento man has died after crashing a dirt bike Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 11:10 a.m., the 59-year-old man was riding a 2022 KTM Dirt Bike on a dirt road in the Ocala National Forest when he crashed into two trees and was thrown from the bike, FHP said. Troopers did not release an exact location. The man was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares, where he was pronounced deceased.

Sorrento man killed after crashing dirt bike in forest Sunday Read More »

Man killed in Sorrento crash Monday night

SORRENTO, Fla.—An Orlando man was killed Monday night after losing control of his SUV, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly before 10 p.m., the 47-year-old man was southbound on County Road 46A, approaching State Road 46 when he ran off the road. He overcorrected, lost control of the SUV, rotated counterclockwise, ran off the road again, overturned several times, and was ejected from the SUV, Trooper Migdalisis Garcia said. He was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, where he was pronounced deceased. The crash remains under investigation.

Man killed in Sorrento crash Monday night Read More »

Sorrento man killed in motorcycle crash Wednesday

SORRENTO, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a Sorrento motorcyclist Wednesday. The 80-year-old Sorrento man was riding a 2014 Harley-Davidson southbound on County Road 435 approaching Dubsdread Drive around 3:10 p.m. when he failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the road. He struck two traffic signs and a tree and was thrown from the motorcycle, FHP said. He was transported to AdventHealth Apopka, where he was pronounced deceased.

Sorrento man killed in motorcycle crash Wednesday Read More »

FHP investigating 2 fatal crashes just minutes apart on opposite sides of Lake County Wednesday afternoon

LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating two separate crashes that resulted in fatalities Wednesday afternoon. The first crash occurred at 3:20 p.m. on North Austin Merritt Road near Ward Drive in unincorporated Groveland, according to FHP. The second crash occurred just three minutes later at County Road 435 near Dubsdread Drive in Sorrento. Roads are shut down in both areas. Details about the crashes were not available at press time. This is a developing story.

FHP investigating 2 fatal crashes just minutes apart on opposite sides of Lake County Wednesday afternoon Read More »

Accused murderer back in Lake County

TAVARES, Fla.—The man police believe is responsible for the murder of a Leesburg store owner was booked into the Lake County Jail Friday morning. Alex Lopez, 25, is facing charges of premeditated murder, armed robbery and two other weapons offenses, and is being held on no bond. Lopez was on the run for nearly a month, while Leesburg Police Department worked with state, federal and local agencies to track him down and finally located him at a motel in Kissimmee around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Leesburg Police Department Sgt. Shannon Walsh said. He was taken into custody by the FDLE/Orlando –

Accused murderer back in Lake County Read More »

Umatilla man pleads no contest to ’22 DUI manslaughter crash that killed Sorrento woman, sentenced to more than 11 years in prison

TAVARES, Fla.—A man accused of operating his motorcycle drunk and killing a woman riding on the back in April 2022 has pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter and was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison. Edgar Wesley Tello, 66, of Umatilla, has been in the Lake County Jail since his arrest in February 2023, nearly a year after the crash that killed Rebekah Jo Towner less than two weeks after her 28th birthday. On April 24, 2022, Towner, of Sorrento, was a passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being controlled by Tello, northbound on Grove Street in Eustis, when

Umatilla man pleads no contest to ’22 DUI manslaughter crash that killed Sorrento woman, sentenced to more than 11 years in prison Read More »

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted

EUSTIS, Fla.—A man was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center last week after his friend ran him over—and Eustis Police say it was intentional. Around 6:30 p.m. May 19, EPD responded to the intersection of Clay Boulevard and Pine Grove Road on a report of someone being hit by a vehicle and when they arrived, they found Frederick Correll lying on the ground, bleeding, with road rash all over his body. His injuries were so severe he was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center, according to an arrest affidavit. His condition at press time was unknown. Correll’s friend was on

Sorrento man accused of taunting friend after running him over last week in Eustis, victim airlifted Read More »

Dad Arrested for DUI Crash that Killed 2 Toddler Sons and Injured Another Son on Easter Eve ’22

TAVARES, Fla.—A father is in the Lake County Jail on no bond after being arrested for DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle without a driver license causing death, stemming from a crash that killed his two young sons on Easter Eve in 2022. David Shawn Pelfrey, 22, was picked up at his home in Fruitland Park on a warrant Thursday, nearly two years after the crash that killed his young sons, Damian and Dominic and seriously injured their younger brother Daylen. Inside Lake spoke with the boys’ mom, Miranda Martin, by text Monday and she said Daylen is

Dad Arrested for DUI Crash that Killed 2 Toddler Sons and Injured Another Son on Easter Eve ’22 Read More »

Deputies Searching for Sorrento Man Last Seen Thursday

Update: Bernard Jeanty has been found in Volusia County.  SORRENTO, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who was last seen Thursday at his home in Sorrento. According to an LCSO social media post, Bernard Jeanty, 51, left his home sometime during the day in his black 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, along with his dog. Jeanty is described as a black male, 5 feet 11 inches tall and approximately 150 to 200 pounds. He was last seen wearing pink sweatpants and a black shirt. If you have information on Jeanty’s whereabouts, call LCSO Det. VanBuskirk at 352-343-9529 or

Deputies Searching for Sorrento Man Last Seen Thursday Read More »

Deputies Searching Missing Sorrento Woman Suffering from Dementia

Update: Linda Billig was found in Winter Springs, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.  SORRENTO, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is seeking the public’s assistance with locating an 80-year-old Sorrento woman reported missing Monday morning. Linda Derr Billig, 80, was reported missing from her home on PGA Drive in Sorrento shortly before 8:45 a.m. and suffers from dementia, LCSO Public Information Officer Chanel Martin said. A Silvert Alert has been issued for Billig, and she is described as a white female, 5 feet, 6 inches tall, with gray hair, brown eyes and weighs approximately 175 pounds.  She is believed

Deputies Searching Missing Sorrento Woman Suffering from Dementia Read More »

Mom Accused of Kidnapping 2 Daughters Fled from Louisiana State Police Before Capture

LINCOLN PARISH, La.—The mom accused of kidnapping her two daughters from a Lake County foster home fled from Louisiana State Police (LSP) when they attempted stop her Friday and is now facing additional charges. LSP troopers received information from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that Dixie Williams, 41, may be traveling on Interstate 20 in a silver Nissan Rogue and troopers spotted the Nissan and initiated a traffic stop, just before 12:15 p.m. local time. Williams came to a brief stop on Interstate 20 westbound, east of LA-145 and then fled from troopers, according to LSP. After a brief pursuit

Mom Accused of Kidnapping 2 Daughters Fled from Louisiana State Police Before Capture Read More »

Amber Alert Issued for Girls Missing from Sorrento

SORRENTO, Fla.—An Amber Alert has been issued for two children missing from Sorrento. At 7 a.m. Thursday, the foster mother of Tilli and Natalia Williams reported the girls missing from her home at 23419 Companero Drive in Sorrento. She told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office she last saw the girls at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. According to the Amber Alert, the girls may be in the company of Dixie Williams, 41. Williams is described as a white female, 5 feet, 2 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes, and weighs approximately 200 pounds. She

Amber Alert Issued for Girls Missing from Sorrento Read More »

Deputies Searching for Sisters Who Disappeared from Sorrento Foster Home

SORRENTO, Fla.—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a pair of young sisters who disappeared from their Sorrento foster home overnight. At 7 a.m. Thursday, the foster mother of Tillie and Natalia Williams reported the girls missing from her home at 23419 Companero Drive in Sorrento. She told LCSO she last saw the girls at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to LCSO Lt. John Herrell. “Lake County Sheriff’s detectives are on scene and actively investigating. Detectives are looking into the possibility that the juveniles are with their biological mother and father, or if they have any information,” Herrell said in

Deputies Searching for Sisters Who Disappeared from Sorrento Foster Home Read More »

Event Planned for Sunday to Benefit Children of Sorrento Moms Killed in Connecticut Crash Last Month

EUSTIS, Fla.—A community plans to come together Sunday afternoon to raise money for three children injured in a crash that killed their moms in Connecticut last month. On Oct. 22, Lacey Marie Price, 32, and Rebecca “Becky” Marie Schutte, 36, both of Sorrento, were passengers in a Lincoln Aviator being driven by Kory Watson, 40, of Hillsville, Va. Watson veered into the right lane for an unknown reason on Interstate 91 South in Wethersfield, Conn. and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder. The collision killed Watson and Price; Schutte was transported to Hartford Hospital

Event Planned for Sunday to Benefit Children of Sorrento Moms Killed in Connecticut Crash Last Month Read More »

Benefit for LCSO Deputy Diagnosed with Cancer Scheduled for Saturday

EUSTIS, Fla.—An event to benefit a Lake County Sheriff’s Office school resource deputy who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year is scheduled for Saturday. What started as chest pain in 2022 turned into a terrifying diagnosis last summer for LCSO Cpl. Adam Tytler. In November 2022, Tytler went to a cardiologist for ongoing chest pain, and after a EKG showed his heart was in good shape, the cardiologist told him the pain was likely gastrointestinal. The next month, on Christmas Eve, Tytler discovered a swollen lymph node on his neck and by February the lymph node had not gotten

Benefit for LCSO Deputy Diagnosed with Cancer Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Suspected Thief Nabbed at Sorrento Home Where Explosives were Found Last Month

SORRENTO, Fla.—A suspected thief was arrested on Halloween after a victim located his belongings on Craigslist for sale and sent the Lake County Sheriff’s Office photos of his items with the suspected thief in front of a Sorrento home, according to an arrest affidavit. After receiving the photos, LCSO detectives responded to 31624 Orange Street in Sorrento—the same home where explosives were found last month in the case against David Flores. Flores was arrested near that home after being on the run for several days stemming from an incident that began with an armed sexual battery. When detectives arrived at

Suspected Thief Nabbed at Sorrento Home Where Explosives were Found Last Month Read More »

Bicyclist Dies from Injuries Months After Sorrento Hit-and-Run Crash

SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento bicyclist has died from injuries he sustained in a hit-and-run crash in July, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed to Inside Lake. Only Inside Lake reported on the crash that seriously injured Richard “Rick” McPhee, 59, of Sorrento around 5:45 a.m. July 26. McPhee was riding a bicycle eastbound on Wolf Branch Road approaching Stone Meadow Court on his way to work when a vehicle, possibly a 2014 -2018 Kia Soul, struck McPhee from behind, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi.   McPhee’s bicycle had proper lighting and he was wearing a reflective vest. The impact threw McPhee

Bicyclist Dies from Injuries Months After Sorrento Hit-and-Run Crash Read More »

Connecticut Crash Claims the Lives of 2 Sorrento Women and Virginia Man, 3 Children Hospitalized

WETHERSFIELD, Conn.—A Connecticut crash claimed the lives of two Sorrento women and a Virginia man Sunday and sent three Sorrento children to the hospital, according to the Connecticut State Police (CSP.) Shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday, Kory Watson, 40, of Hillsville, Va., was driving a 2003 Lincoln Aviator on Interstate 91 South when he veered into the right lane for an unknown reason and collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer parked on the right shoulder near Exit 25. Watson, and one of his passengers, Lacey Marie Price, 32, of Sorrento, were pronounced deceased on the scene. Passenger Rebecca Marie

Connecticut Crash Claims the Lives of 2 Sorrento Women and Virginia Man, 3 Children Hospitalized Read More »

Bulletproof Vest, Explosive Devices, Guns and Drugs Found During Search Warrant, Suspect Now Facing Federal Charges

SORRENTO, Fla.—Only Inside Lake reported on a search warrant that was executed on a home connected to David Flores Thursday afternoon and now the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has revealed what was found. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives (ATF,) and LCSO’s SWAT Team, Hazardous Device Team (bomb squad,) detectives and crime scene investigators searched the home located at 31624 Orange Street, Sorrento Thursday afternoon and into the early evening hours. “During the search, detectives located firearms, a ballistic vest, fentanyl, and other drugs. The vest that was collected matches the description of the one the victim

Bulletproof Vest, Explosive Devices, Guns and Drugs Found During Search Warrant, Suspect Now Facing Federal Charges Read More »

Large Law Enforcement Presence at Home Where Wanted Man Found in Sorrento Earlier this Week

SORRENTO, Fla.— Numerous law enforcement officers were at the home Thursday night where a wanted man was apprehended earlier this week conducting a “follow-up investigation”, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake. Multiple sources reached out to Inside Lake Thursday evening and said law enforcement officers from multiple agencies were at the home at 31624 Orange Street in Sorrento, including LCSO and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office around 6:30 p.m. This is the same home David Flores, 37, fled from early Wednesday morning after being on the run from deputies for more than two days. Flores was

Large Law Enforcement Presence at Home Where Wanted Man Found in Sorrento Earlier this Week Read More »

VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday

SORRENTO, Fla.—A tip to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the apprehension of the man who was the subject of an extensive search in Eustis Sunday night. LCSO responded to a home on Orange Street in Sorrento just after midnight Wednesday and began searching the property for David Flores, 37, and he fled on foot, LCSO Lt. John Herrell said. “A sheriff’s K-9 located him shortly thereafter hiding in a hole where it appeared trees had been cleared,” Herrell said in an email. K9 Ex bit Flores and he was treated for minor injuries and later transported to the

VIDEO: LCSO K9 Takes a Bite Out of Crime and Apprehends Suspect Wanted Since Sunday Read More »

Crash Shuts Down SR 44 in Pine Lakes Area Wednesday Morning

PINE LAKES, Fla.—State Road 44 is shut down in both directions in the Pine Lakes area as the Florida Highway Patrol investigates a crash, according to FHP. The crash occurred shortly before 8:30 a.m. near the intersection of State Road 44 and Spruce Drive, and near a Circle K and a Dollar General.  Inside Lake reached out to FHP for details and was awaiting a response at press time. This is a developing story.

Crash Shuts Down SR 44 in Pine Lakes Area Wednesday Morning Read More »

Head-On Collision Kills Umatilla Man, Shuts Down SR 46 Friday

SORRENTO, Fla.—The Florida Highway Patrol is on scene of a crash that killed a Umatilla man and shut down State Road 46 in both directions. The preliminary investigation revealed a 2009 Hyundai Sonata being driven by a 42-year-old Umatilla man was traveling westbound on State Road 46 near Wekiva Pines Boulevard around 5:40 p.m. when he veered into the eastbound lane and collided with 2022 Ford E-350 being driven by a 49-year-old Deltona man, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The Umatilla man was transported to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, where he was pronounced deceased. The Deltona man

Head-On Collision Kills Umatilla Man, Shuts Down SR 46 Friday Read More »

FHP Seeking Information on Hit-and-Run Crash that Seriously Injured Sorrento Bicyclist Wednesday Morning

SORRENTO, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run crash involving a bicyclist before daybreak Wednesday. A 59-year-old man of Sorrento was riding a bicycle with proper lighting eastbound on Wolf Branch Road approaching County Road 437 on the south edge of the road, possibly around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday, when he was struck by an unknown vehicle, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi told Inside Lake. The vehicle fled the scene and troopers found small debris that may belong to a white vehicle but were unable to determine the make or model of the vehicle. The bicyclist was transported to HCA Florida

FHP Seeking Information on Hit-and-Run Crash that Seriously Injured Sorrento Bicyclist Wednesday Morning Read More »

Man Admits Shooting Neighbor’s Dogs, Killing 1, Held on $150K Bond

An earlier version of this story misidentified the deceased dog due to an error in the arrest affidavit. The dog’s name is Mary. SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento man is in the Lake County Jail after he admitted shooting his neighbor’s dogs Saturday night, killing 13-year-old Mary, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Holopaw Trail in Sorrento shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday after the victim reported her neighbor, Sheldon Keith Hayward, 65, had shot her dogs, killing one of them. The woman told LCSO she let the dogs out in her backyard and did not realize

Man Admits Shooting Neighbor’s Dogs, Killing 1, Held on $150K Bond Read More »

Sorrento Man Facing Multiple Charges After Shooting, Killing Man Friday Night

SORRENTO, Florida—A Sorrento man is facing a manslaughter charge and an aggravated battery charge after shooting a man and killing him Friday night, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to Quaker Ridge Avenue on a report of a person being shot, and when they arrived, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to AdventHealth Waterman in Tavares where he succumbed to his injury and was pronounced deceased. The victim’s name is redacted from the affidavit. The investigation revealed Wallace Mannin Kirkland, 59, had shot the man once

Sorrento Man Facing Multiple Charges After Shooting, Killing Man Friday Night Read More »

Late Night Crash Kills Bicyclist

SORRENTO, Florida—An Apopka man was killed Friday night after he rode his bicycle into the path of a pickup truck Friday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly before 10:30 p.m., a 28-year-old Apopka man was driving a 2006 Ford F-150 westbound on State Road 46 east of Deal Drive when a westbound bicyclist, a 36-year-old Apopka man, began traveling southwest and entered the direct path of the truck, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The bicyclist was pronounced deceased on the scene and the pickup driver and his passenger, a 2-year-old boy, were not injured,

Late Night Crash Kills Bicyclist Read More »

Barricaded Sorrento Man Now Accused of Sex Crimes

TAVARES, Florida—The Sorrento man who barricaded himself in a shed Wednesday night requiring a response from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team is now facing four charges for sex-related crimes, according to LCSO online booking records. Gregory Tippett, 62, was in an altercation with multiple juveniles Wednesday night at his home on Swan Road in Sorrento, according to a report. He later armed himself and fired several shots, shooting himself in the leg, and then barricaded himself in a shed on the property. After first refusing to come out, he surrendered to LCSO’s SWAT Team and was transported to

Barricaded Sorrento Man Now Accused of Sex Crimes Read More »

Man Who was Barricaded in Sorrento Shed Wednesday Arrested for Child Abuse, Battery, Discharging Gun

SORRENTO, Florida—The man who fired several shots and barricaded himself in a shed Wednesday night is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond. According to a heavily-redacted report, a juvenile at the home on Swan Road was upset and Gregory Tippett, 62, who lives at the home, went outside and grabbed melatonin container and threw it at an undisclosed person. Tippett then said he was going to leave and went to get something out of the refrigerator, a witness told the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The relationship between Tippett, the witness and the juveniles was not available

Man Who was Barricaded in Sorrento Shed Wednesday Arrested for Child Abuse, Battery, Discharging Gun Read More »

Man Taken into Custody After Barricading Himself in Sorrento Home

SORRENTO, Florida—The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has taken a man into custody after he was barricaded in a home on Swan Road in Sorrento Wednesday night. The incident started as a domestic situation and the suspect barricaded himself in the home and became suicidal, LCSO Lt. Fred Jones told Inside Lake. The man was taken into custody shortly after 9:30 p.m. No other details were available at press time.

Man Taken into Custody After Barricading Himself in Sorrento Home Read More »

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash

De LEON SPRINGS— A Sorrento woman was killed Thursday afternoon after the car she was riding in rear-ended a Ford F-350 on U.S. Highway 17 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra being driven by a 41-year-old Eustis man, was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 17 approaching West Davis Street near De Leon Springs in Volusia County, when he failed to slow for a Ford F-350 pickup truck shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The Hyundai rear-ended the Ford, seriously injuring the Eustis man. His passenger, a 40-year-old woman from Sorrento, was transported to AdventHealth

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash Read More »

Woman in Stable Condition After Umatilla Crash Tuesday Night

UMATILLA—For the second time in less than a week, the Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that resulted in serious injuries near Umatilla. There was little information available Wednesday morning, including how the crash occurred. A 55-year-old Sorrento woman was driving a white 2016 Chevrolet Cruze shortly before 8 p.m. Tuesday when she crashed for an unknown reason, striking a stop sign, street signs and a concrete pillar at State Road19 and Beach Street in front of Silver Beach Heights. The woman was airlifted to HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, formerly Central Florida Regional Medical Center, in

Woman in Stable Condition After Umatilla Crash Tuesday Night Read More »

BREAKING NEWS: FHP Investigating Fatal Crash on SR 46

SORRENTO, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol in investigating a fatal crash on State Road 46 at State Road 453 in Sorrento, sources told Inside Lake Sunday night. Sources said a box truck hit a guardrail and the driver became entrapped and was pronounced dead on the scene just after 7: 45 p.m. Sunday. FHP, Lake County Fire Rescue and Mount Dora Fire Department all responded to the scene. According to FHP’s website there is no roadblock in the area. This is a breaking story.

BREAKING NEWS: FHP Investigating Fatal Crash on SR 46 Read More »

Man Pulls Gun on Roommate During Argument Over Living Conditions, Girlfriend

SORRENTO, Florida—A man pulled a gun on his roommate last week after the roommate confronted him about his dirty living conditions and inviting his girlfriend over, according to a Lake County Sheriff’s Office report. LCSO responded to Desoto Avenue, located in the Oak Springs mobile home community in Sorrento around 8 p.m. Wednesday in reference to an argument involving a firearm. When deputies arrived, they found the victim passed out on a sidewalk and his girlfriend sitting in a wheelchair on the back porch, the report states. The victim’s girlfriend said her boyfriend confronted his roommate, “Mark” about his dirty

Man Pulls Gun on Roommate During Argument Over Living Conditions, Girlfriend Read More »

3-Vehicle Crash Kills Grand Island Man Monday Night, Sends 3 More to Local Hospitals

SORRENTO, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed a Grand Island man Monday night. A 2008 Volkswagen Touareg being driven by an 82-year-old Sorrento man was eastbound on State Road 44 approaching the intersection of Barry Lane, near Sorrento around 6 p.m., according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The Touareg attempted to make a left turn on Barry Lane and entered the direct path of a 2018 Nissan Rogue being driven by a 66-year-old Grand Island man; as a result of the impact, the Rogue rotated, entered the eastbound lane, and struck a 2013 Chevy Cruz being

3-Vehicle Crash Kills Grand Island Man Monday Night, Sends 3 More to Local Hospitals Read More »

Man, Apparently Angry His Advances were Rebuffed by Group of Women, Runs Down Pair Walking Nearby

SORRENTO, Florida—A man is being held in the Lake County Jail on $115,000 bond after intentionally running two people over earlier this month, according to an arrest affidavit. Bryan Alexis Juarez, 34, of Sorrento is accused of hitting the man and woman as they walked near State Road 46 and Church Street shortly before 3:30 a.m. Nov. 13 and sending the woman to the hospital. In the early morning hours of Nov. 13, Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the area of Oasis Saloon, 23800 State Road 46, Sorrento on a report of a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian

Man, Apparently Angry His Advances were Rebuffed by Group of Women, Runs Down Pair Walking Nearby Read More »

Sorrento Man Killed After Being Thrown from Motorcycle Early Thursday Morning

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Florida—A Sorrento man was killed early Thursday morning after he was thrown from his motorcycle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 51-year-old man was riding a 2022 Honda CMX1100D northbound on Markham Woods Road, south of Lee Williamson Road when he failed to negotiate a curve and struck a raised curb around 1:40 a.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. He ran off the roadway and was thrown off the motorcycle and pronounced dead on the scene. He was wearing a helmet. The crash remains under investigation.

Sorrento Man Killed After Being Thrown from Motorcycle Early Thursday Morning Read More »

Justice for Justis, Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend’s Teenaged Daughter in 2018

DeLAND, Florida—The man accused of raping and killing a Mount Dora High School student in 2018 was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison Monday, according to 7th Judicial Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza’s office. Justis Marie Garrett, 16, was reported missing April 13, 2018, after she failed to return home from Mount Dora High School that day, according to a charging affidavit. Her mother’s boyfriend, Robert Nixon Kern Jr. told his girlfriend and police that he took Justis from her home in Sorrento and dropped the girl off at school, but she never made it to

Justice for Justis, Man Convicted of Murdering Girlfriend’s Teenaged Daughter in 2018 Read More »

Lake County Woman Charged with Murder in 2021 Hernando County Jail Overdose Death

HERNANDO COUNTY, Florida—A 28-year-old Lake County woman is locked up in the Hernando County Detention Center on no bond facing several charges, including first degree murder, for providing the fentanyl that killed her cellmate in 2021. According to a Hernando County Sheriff’s Office probable cause affidavit, Lauren Ann Moon, 28, concealed pills in her vagina when she was booked into the Hernando County Jail on Sept. 27, 2021, for two counts of failure to appear. Moon was not given a body cavity search because she falsely claimed to be pregnant, “This was a deliberate act to bypass the body scanner

Lake County Woman Charged with Murder in 2021 Hernando County Jail Overdose Death Read More »

Sorrento Man Wanted for Setting Shed Ablaze, Beating Man with Pipe, Turns Himself in

SORRENTO, Florida—A man accused of attacking another man with a metal pipe and setting his shed ablaze, turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Monday and was released a few hours later. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a home on County Road 437 near State Road 46 around 11:15 p.m. April 29 in reference to an aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a probable cause affidavit. The male victim told LCSO, Shane L. Poole attacked him with a metal pipe, striking him all over his body and then set fire to a sheet that was

Sorrento Man Wanted for Setting Shed Ablaze, Beating Man with Pipe, Turns Himself in Read More »

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Hundreds of people are expected to attend the third annual Lake County Backs the Blue Walk scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday at Tavares’ Wooton Park. In its third year, the walk began in 2019 to show support for law enforcement during a time when the “defund the police” movement was making its way across the country, event organizer Shannon Cook told Inside Lake. Representatives from several law enforcement agencies and numerous public officials are expected to be in attendance. “The good ones needed to know they were appreciated,” Cook said. Cook has always had respect for law enforcement officers

Third Annual Back the Blue Walk Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Sorrento Woman Killed in Eustis Motorcycle Crash

EUSTIS, Florida—A weekend that saw many motorcycles on the roads, especially in Eustis and Leesburg ended tragically Sunday afternoon with the death of a 28-year-old Sorrento woman. Rebekah Jo Towner was the passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being ridden by 64-year-old Edgar Wesley Tello, of Umatilla, northbound on Grove Street, when he struck a construction sign near Pendleton Avenue, a Eustis Police spokesperson told Inside Lake—the only media on the scene. The impact threw Tello and Towner from the motorcycle and she slid with the motorcycle more than 100 feet, coming to rest at a fence in front of a

Sorrento Woman Killed in Eustis Motorcycle Crash Read More »

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday

TAVARES, Florida—Lake County residents with minor criminal histories have a unique opportunity to quickly and efficiently expunge or seal their record Saturday if they qualify, at the first-ever Sealing and Expungement clinic offered here. Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida is teaming up with the Lake County Bar Association and Lake Young Lawyers Division to offer this free 4-hour clinic scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Lake County Courthouse, 550 West Main Street, Tavares. Lawyers and representatives from numerous government agencies will be on hand to help participants navigate through the process, which often can be difficult

Free Sealing and Expungement Clinic Scheduled for Saturday Read More »

Two Leesburg Toddlers Killed, One Airlifted in Fiery Easter Eve Crash that Shut Down SR 46

SORRENTO, Florida—A 4-year-old boy and a 2-year-old boy were killed in a late afternoon crash Saturday and a 1-year-old boy was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries—and at least two of the boys were not in car seats, it is unknown if the surviving toddler was restrained, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Witnesses told FHP a 20-year-old man of Leesburg, was driving a 2011 Kia westbound on State Road 46 near Bear Pond Access Road and passing other traffic in a no-passing zone. A 2011 Toyota Pickup truck being driven by a 44-year-old Lake Mary man was eastbound

Two Leesburg Toddlers Killed, One Airlifted in Fiery Easter Eve Crash that Shut Down SR 46 Read More »

Double Traffic Fatality Closes S.R. 46

SORRENTO, Florida—A double fatality has closed a major roadway when many are traveling for the Easter holiday. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash that occurred shortly before 5:45 p.m. Saturday at State Road 46 and Bearpond Access Road. Two people were pronounced dead, one person was flown to a local hospital for treatment, and there are two trauma patients, said FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. State Road 46 is closed, and drivers are asked to use an alternate route. This is a breaking story.

Double Traffic Fatality Closes S.R. 46 Read More »

Spring Break Tragedy: Teenager Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash, 4 Children Sent To The Hospital

SORRENTO—A 16-year-old boy was killed, and his four passengers sent to the hospital following a single-vehicle crash in Sorrento on the night before Spring Break begins for Lake County Schools, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The teenager, of Sorrento, was driving a 2008 Ford Expedition northbound on County Road 437, approaching Plymouth Hollow Circle, around 10:20 p.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Kim Montes said in a press release. He lost control of the SUV and struck a light pole on the north shoulder of Plymouth Hollow Circle; the SUV collided with hedges at 2400 Plymouth Hollow Circle and continued until

Spring Break Tragedy: Teenager Killed In Single-Vehicle Crash, 4 Children Sent To The Hospital Read More »

Two Lake County Motorcyclists Injured In Volusia County Crash Saturday Night

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida— A man and woman are dead, and two men are recovering from injuries after a car hit two motorcycles Saturday night near DeLand and a third man suffered minor injuries when he laid his motorcycle down to avoid the crash. Shortly after 10:30 p.m. a 41-year-old male of Orlando was eastbound on State Road 44 near Eau Claire Avenue in a Toyota Corolla, when he traveled into the westbound lane for an unknown reason, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Kim Montes. The Corolla struck two motorcycles, one being ridden by a 38-year-old Mount Dora man, and

Two Lake County Motorcyclists Injured In Volusia County Crash Saturday Night Read More »

Woman Susepected Of Overdosing While Driving On CR 437, Arrested For DUI

SORRENTO, Florida—A woman found unresponsive in the driver’s seat of a car on the side of a popular highway, was given a dose of Narcan, cleared by hospital staff, and arrested for DUI last week, according to an arrest affidavit. Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Lake County Fire Rescue responded to a call from a passenger in a Toyota Camry who believed the driver overdosed while driving on County Road 437, north of State Road 44. Emergency personnel found Kaley Noel Barber, 31, of Orlando unresponsive with the car running. She was removed from the vehicle and regained consciousness

Woman Susepected Of Overdosing While Driving On CR 437, Arrested For DUI Read More »

Man Confronted By Homeowner As He Attempts To Steal ATV, Runs Out Of His Slides and Drops His Phone. Text Messages Reveal His Plan

SORRENTO, Florida—A burglary suspect who was being chased by the homeowner he attempted to steal an ATV from, dropped his phone and ran right out of his slides last week; and the found phone led to the capture of both him and his partner in crime, according to an arrest affidavit.  Before daylight Thursday, a Sorrento resident observed a male, later identified as Tyler Ray Trapp, 22, enter her back porch and take an ATV. The woman woke her husband, who went outside and confronted Trapp. As Trapp attempted to leave the property, the male victim yelled and Trapp took

Man Confronted By Homeowner As He Attempts To Steal ATV, Runs Out Of His Slides and Drops His Phone. Text Messages Reveal His Plan Read More »

Sorrento Man Arrested In Alleged Road Rage Incident

SORRENTO, Florida—An alleged road rage incident landed a Sorrento man in jail Thursday after he was accused of waving a gun in traffic and punching a car. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office received several calls reporting the incident around 4:45 p.m. near the intersection of State Road 44 and County Road 437.  The victim told LCSO he was westbound on State Road 44 approaching County Road 437 when he traveled into the turn lane for County Road 437. He changed his mind and decided to stay on State Road 44 and waited for a break in traffic, according to the

Sorrento Man Arrested In Alleged Road Rage Incident Read More »

Scroll to Top