POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Davenport man has been arrested and charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred last November. Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide detectives arrested 27-year-old Paul Castellano Aponte on Wednesday.
The crash occurred on Sunday, November 3, 2024, on US 27 at Poitras Road Two. 84-year-old Donald Shelby Wright, also of Davenport, died during emergency surgery following the collision. Castellano Aponte, the driver of the other vehicle, was treated at the scene for minor injuries.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a thorough investigation, including analysis of the crash data recorder from Castellano Aponte’s Mazda sedan, revealed that he was driving recklessly at the time of the accident.
The data showed the Mazda traveling at 101 mph approximately five seconds before impact, significantly exceeding the 55 mph speed limit. The Mazda’s speed was calculated to be 71 mph at the moment of collision with Wright’s Ford EcoSport.
Witness statements corroborated the data, indicating that the Mazda was weaving through traffic and being operated recklessly prior to the crash.
READ: Pedestrian Killed In Hit-And-Run Crash Near Winter Haven: Polk County Sheriff
Following his arrest, Castellano Aponte reportedly told detectives that he was speeding because he was tired after working all night.
“My Traffic Homicide detectives are the very best at what they do,” said Sheriff Grady Judd. “They conducted extensive analysis all of the evidence, and determined that this wasn’t a crash caused by carelessness; this crash was caused by reckless operation and a total disregard for the safety of everyone on the road that day.”
Paul Castellano Aponte was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with Vehicular Homicide, a second-degree felony.
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