Grady Judd Driver fatally shot before slamming into Lakeland home, killing man passing by on electric bicycle

A fatal incident unfolded in Lakeland when a Mercedes driver was shot in the chest and subsequently crashed into a home, killing an electric bicyclist. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported the crash occurred around 1:30 p. m. on Pirates Way in the Secret Cove area. Authorities suspect the driver was involved in a drug deal that turned violent when other young black males attempted to rob him.

Following the crash, deputies found the driver with a gunshot wound and the body of the 38-year-old bicyclist beneath the vehicle. Sheriff Grady Judd highlighted the significance of the witnesses, urging them to come forward as they possess video evidence. Investigators also discovered marijuana and cash in the Mercedes, further supporting the drug deal theory. The investigation has transitioned from a fatal crash inquiry to a homicide probe, with officials actively seeking the shooter. The bicyclist was noted to have had no connection to the events, tragically caught in the wrong place at the wrong time.