Haines City man had ‘several beers’ before crash that killed teen on dirt bike: PCSO
LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) -- A Haines City man was arrested Wednesday after he was accused of driving drunk and causing a crash that killed a 17-year-old. The crash happened at around 6:40 p.m. on Canal Road, just east of Carol Place, in Lake Wales, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. A Ford-150, driven by Ricky Morris Willis, 53, crossed a double yellow line to pass a Volkswagen and a dirt bike. The truck hit the side of the bike, pushing it into the back of the Volkswagen. The dirt bike operator, identified as a 17-year-old from Haines City, was thrown from the bike and died from their injuries. Willis, who had two teenagers in the car, returned to the site of the crash to check on the other drivers. He told deputies that he and the dirt bike rider knew each other and had just left a nearby convenience store. Deputies reported that Willis appeared to be intoxicated and he showed signs of impairment in field sobriety tests. He admitted to having had "several beers" that day, according to PCSO. Willis also had an outstanding warrant for failing to pay child support and had been driving on a suspended license since 2016. He was booked in to the Polk County Jail and charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI with property damage, driving with a suspended license, and two counts of child neglect. At the time he was booked - nearly four hours after the crash - Willis' breath alcohol level measured at 0.071 and 0.070, which is just under the legal limit of 0.08. A blood sample was sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further testing.
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