BRADLEY JUNCTION, Polk County, Fla., Nov. 3, 2026 — A 71-year-old Lakeland man died on Monday morning, November 2, in a three-vehicle crash on State Road 37 in Bradley Junction. The Polk County Sheriff's Office said deputies were sent to the scene near County Road 630, about ten miles south of Mulberry, around 6:10 a.m.
The sheriff's office said the man was found dead in his car at the scene when first responders arrived. A 29-year-old Wimauma man, driving a separate vehicle, was hospitalized with injuries described as non-life-threatening. A third driver left his car and ran from the scene on foot, according to investigators.
Authorities said a preliminary review found the Wimauma driver's SUV had been headed north on SR 37 while the Lakeland man's car and a third vehicle, driven by the man who fled, were headed south.
The driver who ran was later identified and arrested. The sheriff's office named him as 26-year-old Grevil Said Cerrato. Cerrato reportedly told Traffic Homicide detectives he fled because he does not hold a driver's license and is in the country illegally. He was booked on a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and a misdemeanor charge of driving without a valid license.
State Route 37 was closed for about five hours while crews worked the scene.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office said the investigation is continuing. Our sympathies are with the family of the person who lost their life.
More Crash News from Polk County
This fatal crash happened on State Road 37 in Bradley Junction, FL. For other recent crashes near Bradley Junction, FL, visit our Polk County accident news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does seat belt use matter so much?
A seat belt keeps an occupant from being thrown from their seat or out of the vehicle during a crash, which lowers the chance of fatal injury substantially in a collision like this one.
What should families do after a fatal crash?
Families can request the official crash report from the investigating agency, which in this case is the Polk County Sheriff's Office, and may also contact the agency's traffic homicide unit with questions as the investigation moves forward.
How are fatal crashes investigated?
Traffic homicide investigators typically document the scene, interview witnesses and drivers, examine vehicle damage and road conditions, and reconstruct how the crash happened before determining any charges.
How long do fatal-crash investigations take?
Investigations can take weeks or months, particularly when charges are pending or additional evidence, such as toxicology results, is still being processed.
