TAVARES, Florida—Two people are dead following a head-crash on a busy Tavares Road Saturday night.
Shortly before 10:45 pm. Tavares Police Department responded to a report of a crash near County Road 561 and Lona Street. According to witnesses and evidence on scene, a 2019 black Nissan Sentra being driven by Scott Alexander Sawyer, 29, of Eustis, was speeding northbound on County Road 561 and attempted to pass vehicles on a double yellow line. He struck a 2008 gray Mazda Tribute head-on being driven southbound by Lindsay Marie Baker, 26, of Altoona, TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake.
“Several area first responders responded to the scene in an attempt to render aid and assist with the investigation,” Sullivan said in an email.
Baker and Sawyer were both pronounced deceased following the crash and TPD traffic homicide investigators responded to the scene and took over the investigation, Sullivan said.
The crash shut down County Road 561 for several hours and remains under investigation.
OCALA, Florida—A Leesburg man who was apprehended near a Tavares motel more than a year ago has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
Timothy Eric “Tater” Evans, 41, was taken into custody March 3, 2022 near La Bella Inn, 101 West Burleigh Boulevard by multiple agencies on a federal warrant issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) stemming from an incident that occurred in Tavares on May 21, 2021.
In May 2021, Evans was found with a stolen vehicle and an officer with Tavares Police Department searched the stolen vehicle and found MDMA, also known as Molly, and a loaded gun in the center console. A search of Evans’ phone revealed numerous photos of illegal narcotics and guns, along with messages in which Evans was attempting to buy and sell guns, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The gun charge was dropped by the state and picked up by the U.S. Attorney’s Office; Evans pleaded guilty in June 2022.
Evans was later taken into custody in Tavares with the cooperation of multiple agencies, including ATF, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Mount Dora Police Department and Tavares Police Department.
PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
“We assisted ATF, FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) and Mount Dora Police Department in the apprehension of Timothy Evans on an active federal warrant,” TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan told Inside Lake last year. TPD also transported Evans to the Lake County Jail, according to a report.
According to an MDPD report, officers from that agency assisted with blocking eastbound traffic on U.S. Highway 441 near the motel and Evans and another male were ordered out of the vehicle they were in and taken into custody without incident. The vehicle was then towed to MDPD for secure storage.
Multiple sources, as far back as November 2021, have told Inside Lake Evans, an eight-time convicted felon, is suspected of committing a high-profile crime in the area, but he has never been arrested for the crime. Evans’ case was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together many levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and gun violence, the U.S Attorney’s Office said. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk prosecuted the case.
TAVARES, Florida—A Tavares woman admitted she was drinking a beer when she slammed into the back of another vehicle stopped at a traffic light Wednesday night—right in front of a Tavares Police officer.
The TPD officer was sitting at the traffic light at U.S. Highway 441 and Huffstetler Drive shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday when she saw a white car slam into the back of a black Chevy at an estimated 50 miles per hour, according to an arrest affidavit.
The officer requested EMS and then approached Mary Gwendolyn Bollinger, 64, who was stumbling outside of her car while she checked for damage. Bollinger, of Tavares, smelled of alcohol, according to the affidavit, and had glassy eyes and slurred her speech as she spoke to the officer.
Mary Bollinger PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
EMS arrived on scene and checked Bollinger out, along with the occupants of the Chevy and none of the parties were transported to the hospital. Bollinger admitted to EMS she had been drinking about three hours prior to the crash.
Bollinger’s car was towed, and she was given a citation for careless driving; the occupants of the Chevy were released from the scene, the affidavit states.
TPD told Bollinger there were indicators she was impaired, and she admitted she had been drinking and agreed to perform field sobriety exercises. She showed “many indicators of impairment” and was arrested for DUI second offense and transported to the Lake County Jail.
While at LCJ, Bollinger provided two breath samples, one registering at .132 and the other at .13, well over the legal limit; she admitted she drank four beers beginning at 5 p.m. and was drinking a beer when she crashed into the Chevy. She was booked into LCJ and released on $2,000 bond Thursday.
LAKE COUNTY, Florida—Lake County officials imposed a burn ban effective Friday that will last indefinitely, according to a press release.
The burn ban is in effect for all of Lake County and prohibits the burning of yard debris, land and recreational fires but does not include outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills and barbecue pits that have a total fuel area of 3 feet or less and 2 feet or less in height.
Dry conditions forced the move by county officials and surrounding counties have enacted similar bans. For more than three weeks, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) rating has exceeded 500 and the ban is necessary for public safety, the press release stated.
When the KDBI rating falls below 500 for seven consecutive days, the county will lift the ban.
EUSTIS, Florida—A $100,000 stolen SUV spotted at a gas pump by a Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy landed a Eustis man in jail Sunday on multiple charges, including trafficking in heroin.
Shortly after 1:45 p.m. Sunday the deputy was patrolling the area of Orange Avenue and Abrams Road when he saw a 2024 white Mercedes SUV that matched the description of an SUV recently stolen from Tavares at a gas pump. The SUV is valued at $100,000 according to the affidavit.
LCSO pulled into Circle K, 2754 East Orange Avenue, and observed a man, later identified as Trevon Markques Williams, sitting in the driver’s seat of the of the SUV while the gas nozzle was inserted in the tank on the passenger side of the vehicle. As the deputy approached the SUV from behind, he ran the license plate and confirmed it was the stolen SUV, the affidavit states.
Trevon Williams PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
Williams, 26, complied with the deputy’s commands and was taken into custody. LCSO searched Williams and found a small bag of marijuana in his right pocket and then searched the SUV. Less than a gram of cocaine was found in a cigar package in the driver’s door and then LCSO found a Mickey Mouse backpack. Inside the backpack, the deputy found a trafficking amount heroin—17 grams. A scale was also found in the center console, according to the affidavit.
Williams was arrested for grand theft auto, trafficking in heroin, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia; he is being held in the Lake County Jail on $31,000 bond.
TAVARES, Florida—A Marion County man taken into custody by U.S. Marshals last week in Marion County on a warrant for sex crimes against a young child in Eustis has been transferred to the Lake County Jail.
William Grady Keel, 26, was picked up by U.S. Marshals on a warrant for sexual battery on a child under 12 and lewd or lascivious molestation on a child under 12 on Thursday, Eustis Police Department Capt. Dave Carney told Inside Lake. According to the address listed for Keel on LCJ’s online booking records, Keel lives in the Umatilla area of Marion County. The city limits of Umatilla are in Lake County, but a portion of Marion County has Umatilla addresses.
The investigation into the allegations against Keel began when an anonymous call was made to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the agency requested EPD’s assistance because the alleged crimes occurred in Eustis. Carney said. The relationship between Keel and his female victim was not released because it may identify her.
The child was interviewed by the Children’s Advocacy Center and she made statements about sexual behavior that a child her age should not know, Carney said. EPD did not release the child’s exact age, only that she is under 10 years old. Physical evidence also backed up the claims of abuse, Carney said.
Keel knew he was under investigation, Carney told Inside Lake, and he made comments that he would not be arrested easily, so the Marshals were asked to pick him up.
“Before he knew it, he was in custody,” Carney said.
Keel was held in the Marion County Jail on no bond until he was transferred to the Lake County Jail Monday morning, where he continues to be held on no bond.
EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following a crash that shut down U.S. Highway 441 near the Eustis/Tavares line Saturday night.
Only Inside Lake was on scene of the crash at U.S. Highway 441 and Dillard Road that occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. After receiving a 9-1-1 call, Eustis Police Department arrived at the scene and found two heavily-damaged vehicles, a grey 2001 Jeep SUV and red 2020 Chevrolet Corvette that were approximately 150 feet away from each other. Police are investigating a motorcycle’s possible involvement in the crash, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. The crash shut down U.S. Highway 441 for several hours and Tavares Police Department assisted with traffic control.
The driver of the Jeep, Douglas Johnson, 78, of Ohio, and the driver of the Corvette, Wayne Jean, 33, of Mount Dora, both suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Johnson later died from his injuries; Jean’s last known condition was serious, according to EPD.
A crash victim is airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center following a two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 441 in Eustis Saturday night in this screenshot taken from a live video. Click here to see our video coverage. VIDEO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake
Police believe Johnson was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 441 when he switched into the left turning lane and attempted to make a U-turn to travel southbound. As Johnson attempted the U-turn, he was struck by the Corvette. The Jeep flipped into the air and the Corvette traveled off the roadway, nearly into the parking lot of Kohl’s, 2700 East Burleigh Boulevard.
The impact was so severe, it ripped off the Jeep’s bumper, turned the front wheels in opposite directions and crushed the hood. The Corvette was also heavily damaged; the hood was missing, along with both front tires and the front windshield was caved in. One of the car’s brakes was located west of the car, in the grass, according to the report. Jean, the driver of the Corvette, had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Two witnesses told EPD the Corvette was speeding before the crash and one of them spoke exclusively to Inside Lake.
“I was on (U.S. Highway) 441 headed south,” Carl Simple said. “The Vette was easily doing 80 to 100 miles per hour passing me. They were changing lanes like crazy.” Less than five minutes later, Simple drove up on the crash and started helping out.
The crash remains under investigation.
Officers with Tavares Police Department assist with traffic control following a crash on U.S. Highway 441 in Eustis Saturday night. PHOTO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake
EUSTIS, Florida—The man who surrendered to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team Monday afternoon was wanted for numerous charges stemming from two separate shootings this month, including attempted murder.
Eduardo “Gordo” Ramirez, 24, of Mascotte was wanted in the shooting of a man on Bay Lake Road in Groveland Monday, according to an arrest affidavit. LCSO deputies responded to Bay Lake Road Monday at an unknown time, and the victim, who was shot in his left leg, told deputies Ramirez shot him during an argument.
The victim said Ramirez was in the driver’s seat of a white SUV, later identified as a Nissan Murano, when they began arguing and Ramirez produced a pistol and shot him in the upper left leg area. The victim went in the house and Ramirez fled the scene with an unknown male. A family member of the victim called 9-1-1 and he was airlifted to a local hospital for treatment, according to the affidavit.
Multiple public safety agencies stage in an undisclosed location before LCSO SWAT moved in on a home where they found a man wanted for a shooting. PHOTO: Marilyn M. Aciego/Inside Lake
The victim’s father told LCSO Ramirez was staying at 605 Ohio Boulevard in Eustis and he was found to have an active warrant for another shooting earlier this month. Numerous deputies, including the SWAT team responded to the home on Ohio Boulevard and Ramirez surrendered peacefully, LCSO Lt. John Herrell told Inside Lake Monday. Only Inside Lake was on scene.
The law enforcement activity created concern for residents in the neighborhood that is just a half of a mile from Eustis High School.
Eduardo Ramirez PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office
In the other incident, Ramirez is accused of shooting at a man who was following a vehicle he believed his fiancé’ may be in on State Road 50 in Groveland March 3. According to that probable cause affidavit, a man was concerned about his fiancé, who had not been home in two days. He went to look for her and saw her friend’s car at a nearby convenience store. The man followed the car and Ramirez, who was in the car, pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots at the man. The man pulled out his own gun and fired shots back. He was not injured, but multiple bullets struck his truck, flattening the left front tire and damaging the engine block.
The victim’s fiancé’ returned home after the shooting and told Groveland Police Department “Gordo,” shot her fiancé;’ she later identified him in a photo lineup.
Ramirez is facing a litany of charges in both cases, including attempted murder with a firearm, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, two counts of shooting a weapon from a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony criminal mischief. He is being held in the Lake County Jail on $120,000 bond.
Members of LCSO’s SWAT team leave a home on Ohio Boulevard in Eustis after an attempted murder suspect surrendered Monday afternoon. PHOTO: Jolie Fowler/Inside Lake
TAVARES, Florida—A man accused of breaking his neighbor’s window and causing chaos in a convenience store Tuesday morning is in the Lake County Jail being held on $2,000 bond.
A neighbor of Damon Hamilton Fish, 45, told Tavares Police Department before sunrise Tuesday that Fish was outside of his own home on Willow Court throwing a large trash can at his windows. Fish then walked into her yard and threw a bar of soap in a “sack” through her 14-year-old daughter’s bedroom window, causing $1,000 in damage, she told TPD.
Fish left and apparently went to Circle K, 439 South Duncan Drive, a location he had already been trespassed from, and an employee of the store told TPD he went behind the counter began removing packs of Newport cigarettes and told her to call 9-1-1. He “bowed up” at her like he was going to hit her, she told police, and then filled up a cup with soda and threw it at another employee. He snatched a scanner from that employee, threw it the ground, breaking it and then put the cigarettes back on the shelf, she said.
She pointed out where Fish was, according to the arrest affidavit, and he was taken into custody shortly after 6 a.m. Fish was arrested for felony criminal mischief and trespassing and transported to LCJ.
TAVARES, Florida—A man on trial this week for killing three members of the same family on Christmas Eve 2019 is on the run after leaving his trial during a lunch break and never coming back—and was convicted the same day, according to Lake County Clerk of Court docket information.
Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, is accused of killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith,35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of the Christmas Eve 2019 crash and Hailey died on Christmas Day 2019.
Waldo was driving a 2019 Dodge Ram eastbound on Dixie Avenue, approaching Dozier Court when a 2018 Toyota Corolla being driven Christopher Smith attempted to make a left turn on Dozier Court. The front of the Ram struck the right side of the Corolla, killing the couple and injuring Hailey and Hunter, Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi said in 2019.
The event data recorder (EDR) for the Ram recorded the Ram’s speed at 84.5 mph one tenth of a second from the time of impact, but just 2 seconds before, the Ram was traveling at 96.3 mph, according to a report. The posted speed limit is 35 mph, and a witness told LPD the Ram did not slow down, and the brake lights did not illuminate. A witness also put Waldo behind the wheel just before the crash and DNA confirmed, Iozzi said.
Waldo and his passenger, Kevin Cunningham, 33 at the time, were taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center for their injuries. LPD obtained hospital records and Waldo was found to have an alcohol level twice the legal limit, along with amphetamines and benzos in his system, according to the report.
Upon searching the Ram, LPD found a loaded Ruger .40 caliber handgun stolen from Mount Dora, six sandwich bags containing 157.8 grams of marijuana and six cell phones, according to the report.
Lake County Courthouse PHOTO: Inside Lake
LPD obtained a warrant for Waldo’s arrest in August 2020 and he was nabbed by Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputies and the U.S. Marshals. They were performing surveillance and spied Waldo get into a black Dodge SUV. Waldo drove out of a neighborhood on Chain O Lakes Road and rolled a stop sign at County Road 44, according to an arrest affidavit. An LCSO deputy attempted a traffic stop and Waldo sped off, running other vehicles off the road. Multiple USMS and LCSO units attempted to stop Waldo and he struck an LCSO patrol car and crashed through a fence on Tall Oak Court, the affidavit states.
Waldo fled on foot and hid in the bushes of a home on Grand Island Oaks Circle and asked for a ride from a man returning home from work. The man denied him the ride and Waldo took off again and jumped over a fence to Laurel Crest Court. He was found lying on the ground wearing nothing but underwear, the affidavit states.
He was charged with a litany of offenses from the crash and his apprehension and was taken to the Lake County where he was released three days later on $148,000 bond.
He disappeared Tuesday, on the second day of his trial and he was tried and found guilty in absentia. If you have information on Waldo’s whereabouts, call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
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