VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla – The Polk County Sheriff's Department has identified the couple that were involved in a hit-and-run accident in Winter Haven last month.
A two-vehicle accident involving a turning U-Haul truck crashing into a Nissan sedan occurred on Oct. 31 at the intersection of Havendale Boulevard and 26th Street NW. Following the crash, the man and woman driving in the U-Haul fled the scene, leaving the driver of the sedan trapped with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries.
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Illegal narcotics and about 90 used tires were discovered inside the U-Haul truck when deputies investigated the crash scene. No permit for hauling the tires was located.
According to the report from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, deputies identified and issued an arrest warrant for the passenger, Grasso, 30, from Oak Hill. She was arrested in Volusia County, and extradited to Polk County on Nov. 9. Grasso was charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia, and remains in the Polk County Jail.
An arrest warrant was then issued for Ellis Jr, 41, also from Oak Hill, once it was confirmed that he was the driver of the U-Haul. Ellis is wanted for leaving the scene of a crash involving serious injury, knowingly driving with revoked license, and hauling tires without a permit. Prior criminal history for Ellis includes six charges of driving while license is suspended/revoked (DWLSR), and he spent two years in prison for felony DWLSR.
If you have any information about this case and wish to remain anonymous, you can call Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-TIPS or log onto www.P3tips.com to submit via the web. You may be eligible for a cash reward.