Today the doctor expressed again the seriousness of my brothers injuries and speculates he will be in the intensive care unit step down room for approximately three more weeks. This is the first inclination of how much longer he will be there that we have had. I know that several of people have inquired.
In the mean time the state attorney's office has sent my family alot of paper work requesting estimates of damage and bodily injury and medical costs and have given us very little time to do it in. The estimates of damage they want in 5 days while the other stuff they want in a few weeks. It has been explained that my brother is still in the hospital but it doesn't matter they still want the information within the time frames. It seems now my family will have to get an attorney which is even another expense.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
UPDATE ON MY BROTHER
I was able to speak with my brother again today. He still sounds weak. It will be a slow recovery he is still bleeding somewhat from his ears and his left lung is collapsed still. He is being watched closely by the medical staff at the hospital.
He has expressed concerns about work and of course the medical expenses. It seems Michael S. Waters who was responsible for the hit and run was not only driving without a license but he had no insurance and was driving a vehicle belonging to someone else.I have to say that person who let Waters drive their vehicle is just as responsible for the hit and run as Waters is. The insurance company Gieco, representing Waters' girlfriend who owned the vehicle Waters was driving, showed up at the hospital on thursday and attempted to talk to my brother but he was still somewhat out of it. My brother only remembers bits and pieces of the conversation. More on that later.
My brother has worked hard and takes pride in keeping his bills paid and paying them off as quickly as possible. So with medical bills looming in the future he is of course concerned.
Several people have contacted us, family members, friends, people who we haven't seen or heard from in years have dropped me emails and have posted comments on the blog. Others who we don't know have contacted us and the ledger expressing concern and well wishes for my brother and my family. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.
He has expressed concerns about work and of course the medical expenses. It seems Michael S. Waters who was responsible for the hit and run was not only driving without a license but he had no insurance and was driving a vehicle belonging to someone else.I have to say that person who let Waters drive their vehicle is just as responsible for the hit and run as Waters is. The insurance company Gieco, representing Waters' girlfriend who owned the vehicle Waters was driving, showed up at the hospital on thursday and attempted to talk to my brother but he was still somewhat out of it. My brother only remembers bits and pieces of the conversation. More on that later.
My brother has worked hard and takes pride in keeping his bills paid and paying them off as quickly as possible. So with medical bills looming in the future he is of course concerned.
Several people have contacted us, family members, friends, people who we haven't seen or heard from in years have dropped me emails and have posted comments on the blog. Others who we don't know have contacted us and the ledger expressing concern and well wishes for my brother and my family. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Michael Waters Rearrested After Bond Mistake; Charged In Crash that Injured Cyclist
Published: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, March 12, 2010 at 11:48 p.m.
LAKELAND | Detectives Thursday rearrested a Polk City man charged in a crash that seriously injured a Winter Haven bicyclist and who was released from jail on a bond amount smaller than anticipated.
Michael S. Waters, 28, had been released from jail on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000 because of a clerical error, authorities said. Detectives added an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and arrested Waters again Thursday night. This time his bail was set at $100,000.
Waters, who the Sheriff's Office calls a "habitual traffic offender," is already charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, driving with a suspended license and leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. Detectives found two more guns they say he attempted to hide, leading to Thursday's arrest, spokeswoman Donna Wood said. The case remains under investigation.
The bicyclist, 42-year-old Norman Patrick Shepherd of Winter Haven, was in critical condition after he was hit by a van Waters was driving March 6 in the Lake Alfred area, the Sheriff's Office said.
He was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he remained in the intensive care unit until this week.
His brother, Barron Shepherd, said Norman Patrick Shepherd, is now in stable condition but is being monitored closely.
"I'd say my brother is going to make it," he said. "My brother's an athlete and he's extremely tough, and I think that's what saved his life."
Family members were frustrated with authorities after Waters was accidentally released on a low bail.
Barron Shepherd said he and his family were happy to hear about Waters' arrest.
"We're extremely elated he is back in jail. It was pretty evident to us that this guy just did not need to be roaming around the streets as a free man," he said. "I've got to commend the Sheriff's Office. They righted their mistake. I'm convinced that they're going to do what they can to make sure this guy is prosecuted to the limit of the law."
He said a cast was put on his brother's broken leg Friday. Shepherd still has a collapsed lung and other broken bones, but he is recovering.
"I know sometime today he sat up on the edge of the bed and told the nurses he was ready to go home," Barron Shepherd said, laughing. "That's just the way he is."
Friday, March 12, 2010
Some reassuring news
Last evening I was notified that Michael S. Waters of 10935 Demillie Road, Polk City, was picked up by the Polk County Sheriffs office, The investigating deputies came to my family's home and offered their apologies for the mistake concerning Water's bail and we were notified that there were placing him back under arrest.
Today my brother who is in intensive care was moved to what they call a step down room. I was able to speak with him but only briefly. He is not out the woods but at least he is talking. He has no memory of the accident or the entire weekend for that matter.
In light of this I spoke with reporters again and expressed my family's gratitude to the PCSO, the emergency personnel and the doctors and nurses at Lakeland regional for thier efforts concerning my brother. I would also like to thank the passing motorist who stopped to help my brother and stayed with him until the authorities and emergency medical personnel arrived.
I would personally like to thank Sheriff Grady Judd of the POlk County Sheriff's Office and the investigating deputies for taking the necessary efforts to see that Michael S Waters is indeed behind bars where he belongs.
I have been vocal in the papers and plan to remain proactive concerning the prosecution of Michael S. Waters seeing that he is indeed prosecuted to the limit of the law. I for one am happy that The Lakeland ledger has allowed my family to have a voice.
Today my brother who is in intensive care was moved to what they call a step down room. I was able to speak with him but only briefly. He is not out the woods but at least he is talking. He has no memory of the accident or the entire weekend for that matter.
In light of this I spoke with reporters again and expressed my family's gratitude to the PCSO, the emergency personnel and the doctors and nurses at Lakeland regional for thier efforts concerning my brother. I would also like to thank the passing motorist who stopped to help my brother and stayed with him until the authorities and emergency medical personnel arrived.
I would personally like to thank Sheriff Grady Judd of the POlk County Sheriff's Office and the investigating deputies for taking the necessary efforts to see that Michael S Waters is indeed behind bars where he belongs.
I have been vocal in the papers and plan to remain proactive concerning the prosecution of Michael S. Waters seeing that he is indeed prosecuted to the limit of the law. I for one am happy that The Lakeland ledger has allowed my family to have a voice.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Bail Error of Habitual Traffic Offender Michael Waters Blamed On Missing Sticky Note
Sheriff says suspect in cyclist's traffic injury may face more charges.
Published: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 11, 2010 at 12:02 a.m.
BARTOW | A lost sticky note was to blame in the release of a "habitual traffic offender" on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000, according to an internal review by the Polk County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday.
Michael S. Waters Photo
Provided by the Polk County Sheriff''s Office
Norman Shepherd in intensive care unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Sunday in Lakeland. Mr Shepherd was hit by a van driven by Michael Waters while riding his bicycle outside of Lake Alfred Saturday morning. March 9th 2010. Photo supplied by Family.
Following an accident Saturday morning near Lake Alfred, Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The wreck hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the error in the bail was a regrettable "human mistake."
But Shepherd's family members are still upset.
Deputies investigating the crash assured Shepherd's family Waters bail would be set high.
They asked Circuit Judge J. David Langford to assign a $25,000 bail amount for each of the three charges, which he approved.
"This judicial authorization was communicated by phone to the deputy who transported Waters to the Polk County Jail," according to sheriff's reports.
"Upon delivering (Waters) to the jail, the receiving clerk added and attached a separate 'sticky note' to the arrest affidavit packet so that jail staff responsible for applying the normal bond schedule to the charges would know to set a higher bond amount."
But the note fell off the affidavit. The standard bail was set. And Waters used Bartow-based Bail Advantage to post the $7,000 bail amount before the mistake was found.
Norman Shepherd remained in critical condition Wednesday at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, although he was improving slowly, family members said.
His lung remains collapsed, bones are broken and scrapes remain. But Shepherd is talking more and can now open both of his eyes.
"He doesn't remember the accident, but he is aware of it," said Barron Shepherd, Norman's brother. "And he knows that (Waters) was released."
While improvements in Norman's condition are positive, the mistake about Waters' increased bail made family members angry.
"They dropped the ball," Barron Shepherd said. "They (the deputies) did not do what they looked us in the eye and told us they were going to do. That gave us comfort. But that sense of security and comfort is gone."
Judd said deputies would call the family to explain the situation.
"I apologize we disappointed the family and didn't get the higher bond because of a paperwork mistake," he said. "But it still doesn't change the fact that he (Waters) was identified and arrested quickly. This doesn't lessen his criminal culpability. He still has to answer to those charges. And we have additional charges under investigation."
Judd said the deputies didn't break agency policy by not attaching the note in another way.
"They made a mistake trying to go above and beyond," Judd said. "They weren't obligated to do that. But I understand the family's frustration. If one of my loved ones would have been run over, I would have wanted him to get the death penalty."
Judd said corrective measures are being taken internally to ensure the mistake isn't repeated.
Waters may face additional charges depending on the results of blood and urine tests taken at the scene of Saturday's accident. The results could take several weeks to receive.
If additional charges are filed, Waters would be returned to jail and a new bail would be set.
"It's not like he is getting out of something," Judd said. "None of us wanted to disappoint them."
[ Jeremy Maready can be reached at jeremy.maready@theledger.com or 863-802-7592. ]
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
And yet another travesty
After Michael S. Waters of Polk City Florida was arrested for the hit and run of my brother and my family being told by the Polk county Sheriff's office investigating officer that Waters would be held on a 75,000.00 dollar bound to ensure he stays in jail. Waters a convicted felon spent less than 24 hours in jail was released on a bound set at 7000.00 of which he only had to pay 700 hundred dollars to be released.
The note fell off the affidavit. The standard bail was set. And Waters was able to pay 700.00 dollars to post the $7,000 bail. I cannot help but think.... what a bone head move, in this day and time, the age of the internet, the "communication breakdown" as the PCSO calls it, boiled down to a single "sticky note". It will take me awhile to get my mind around that one. I guess it was just too damn difficult to place a note on an normal sized sheet of paper and staple it to the front of the affidavit. (CAN YOU SAY STAPLER?) Needless to say as my family and I worry about the condition of my brother, I for one am angry and cannot help but think how there is no measure of the level of the incompetence of how Waters' bail was handled.
Below is a picture of my brother in intensive care in critical condition. Monday morning as my brother lays in the hospital on a respirator, Michael S. Waters, the man who struck him with a van, from behind, while my brother was riding his bicycle and then fleeing the scene leaving him to die, was spotted at home in his front yard drinking a beer.
Mistake Gets Man Out on Lower Bail; Accused of Striking Bicyclist With Van
Polk County Deputies investigating the crash assured my family that Waters' bail would be set high. Despite the condition of my brother and the anguish we were going thru, being told that Waters was arrested and that he would probably not get out of jail did offer some comfort to my family.
The deputies asked the Circuit Judge to assign a $25,000 bail amount for each of the three charges, which he approved. The judges authorization was made by phone to the deputy who transported Waters to the Polk County Jail. When Waters was delivered to the jail, the receiving clerk added and attached a separate 'sticky note' to the arrest affidavit packet so that jail staff responsible for applying the normal bond schedule to the charges would know to set a higher bond amount.
Below is a picture of my brother in intensive care in critical condition. Monday morning as my brother lays in the hospital on a respirator, Michael S. Waters, the man who struck him with a van, from behind, while my brother was riding his bicycle and then fleeing the scene leaving him to die, was spotted at home in his front yard drinking a beer.
Mistake Gets Man Out on Lower Bail; Accused of Striking Bicyclist With Van
Photo supplied by Family
Norman Shepherd in intensive care unit at Lakeland Regional Medical Center Sunday in Lakeland. Mr Shepherd was hit by a van driven by Michael Waters while riding his bicycle outside of Lake Alfred Saturday morning. March 9th 2010.
BARTOW | A breakdown in communication between the Polk County Courthouse and the Sheriff's Office involving a "habitual traffic offender" accused of striking a Winter Haven bicyclist with his van led to his release on $7,000 bail instead of $75,000.
MICHAEL WATERS
Waters was charged Monday as a 'habitual traffic offender' by the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Some of his previous traffic charges include:
June 2007: Passenger safety belt violation; front seat passenger
January 2007: Knowingly driving while license suspended/revoked
August 2006: No valid driver license;no motor vehicle registration; failure to maintain proof of personal injury insurance; careless driving with damage/injury
March 2006: Unknowingly operating a vehicle while driver license suspended.
January 2006: Speeding on the Florida Turnpike; safety belt violation
July 2005: Knowingly driving while license suspended or revoked
June 2005: Careless driving; knowingly driving while license suspended/revoked
April 2005: Careless driving with property damage
March 2005: Operating vehicle with unsafe conditions/improper equipment
The situation has left sheriff's officials puzzled and the bicyclist's family upset.
"We are trying to find out what happened," sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Tuesday. "I don't have all the answers yet."
Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged Saturday with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, all of which stemmed from an accident that hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Deputies said Waters was driving his van on Cass Road near Lake Alfred when he struck Shepherd and then ran from the scene, leaving the bicyclist on the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies arrested Waters about a mile away.
When he was booked into the jail, his charges were evaluated and a standard bail amount - established by the chief circuit judge - was assigned at $7,000, officials said.
But deputies investigating the crash wanted a higher bail for Waters, $25,000 for each charge, and Circuit Judge J. David Langford approved the higher bail.
But before paperwork could be processed, Waters posted $7,000 bail and was released from jail.
"Unfortunately, it didn't get completely through and he bonded out before first appearance for that standard bond," Wood said.
"The on-duty judge had approved it."
Sheriff's officials are investigating what will happen in the case and if Waters' bail will be raised.
Other charges will be considered after investigators receive the results of toxicology tests, officials said.
A LONG WAY TO RECOVERY
The mistake is upsetting to Shepherd's family members.
"Here we sit wondering if my brother is going to pull through," said Barron Shepherd. "And this guy sits in jail for 24 hours and is out on bail? It's an utter travesty."
While Norman Shepherd is improving, he still has a long way to go in recovering from his injuries.
He has multiple injuries, which include multiple compound fractures to the left leg, multiple breaks in his right arm, a broken collar bone, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung and severe cuts to his face.
A CAT scan revealed injuries to his head that caused bleeding on the back of the brain and neck.
But his doctors are optimistic that he will survive, Barron Shepherd said.
"He was on a respirator and they did take that off (Monday) night," he said.
Talking is limited. Shepherd doesn't remember the accident.
When asked by a nurse what year it was, he replied "1985," his brother said Tuesday.
"If he does pull through, we're wondering if he's going to walk normally and all of that," Barron Shepherd said. "The doctors say he is doing remarkably well. But it's going to take a long time of rehab if he's going to be able to function."
Shepherd said part of his brother's "remarkable" recovery can be attributed to his athletic training.
Norman Shepherd, who works for Polk County's traffic division, is an avid bike rider and runner.
"For being 42, he's in extremely good shape," Barron Shepherd said.
Norman Shepherd cares for his 74-year-old mother, Valeria, who lives with him in Winter Haven.
When their father, James, was dying of cancer in 2004, Norman moved in with him temporarily to care for him.
"That's just the kind of guy my brother is," Barron Shepherd said.
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
Saturday's arrest wasn't the first for Waters, who has a long list of previous criminal convictions and traffic offenses.
Attempts to contact Waters were unsuccessful Tuesday.
At first, the Polk City man's offenses were small - minor convictions for possession of tobacco by a minor and smoking on school grounds.
But things began to get more serious as Waters got older.
Between 2005 and 2007, Waters was cited for nine different traffic violations, including knowingly driving with a suspended license, careless driving with property damage and operating a vehicle in unsafe conditions, to name a few.
In 2001, Waters approached a man in Auburndale, threatened him and stole his bicycle. He was convicted of robbery and theft, reports said.
In 2002, Waters was convicted of grand theft, uttering a forged document, forgery and uttering a forged instrument when he tried to cash two phony checks at a store in Wahneta, reports from that case said.
For that he served more than a year in state prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
And in 2008, while riding a bicycle in Auburndale, Waters was found with a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In Saturday's incident, Waters license was already suspended for 60 months for his numerous traffic convictions.
In talking with Lake Alfred police officers and deputies after the crash, he said he had been smoking methamphetamine and drinking before he drove that day.
Waters' history has left Norman Shepherd's family with many unanswered questions.
"I'm doing what I can to make people aware of the situation," Barron Shepherd said. "We're not going to sit quietly by. ... When is enough, enough?"
"We are trying to find out what happened," sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said Tuesday. "I don't have all the answers yet."
Michael S. Waters, 28, of Polk City was charged Saturday with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, all of which stemmed from an accident that hospitalized 42-year-old Winter Haven bicyclist Norman Shepherd.
Deputies said Waters was driving his van on Cass Road near Lake Alfred when he struck Shepherd and then ran from the scene, leaving the bicyclist on the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.
Deputies arrested Waters about a mile away.
When he was booked into the jail, his charges were evaluated and a standard bail amount - established by the chief circuit judge - was assigned at $7,000, officials said.
But deputies investigating the crash wanted a higher bail for Waters, $25,000 for each charge, and Circuit Judge J. David Langford approved the higher bail.
But before paperwork could be processed, Waters posted $7,000 bail and was released from jail.
"Unfortunately, it didn't get completely through and he bonded out before first appearance for that standard bond," Wood said.
"The on-duty judge had approved it."
Sheriff's officials are investigating what will happen in the case and if Waters' bail will be raised.
Other charges will be considered after investigators receive the results of toxicology tests, officials said.
A LONG WAY TO RECOVERY
The mistake is upsetting to Shepherd's family members.
"Here we sit wondering if my brother is going to pull through," said Barron Shepherd. "And this guy sits in jail for 24 hours and is out on bail? It's an utter travesty."
While Norman Shepherd is improving, he still has a long way to go in recovering from his injuries.
He has multiple injuries, which include multiple compound fractures to the left leg, multiple breaks in his right arm, a broken collar bone, six broken ribs, a collapsed lung and severe cuts to his face.
A CAT scan revealed injuries to his head that caused bleeding on the back of the brain and neck.
But his doctors are optimistic that he will survive, Barron Shepherd said.
"He was on a respirator and they did take that off (Monday) night," he said.
Talking is limited. Shepherd doesn't remember the accident.
When asked by a nurse what year it was, he replied "1985," his brother said Tuesday.
"If he does pull through, we're wondering if he's going to walk normally and all of that," Barron Shepherd said. "The doctors say he is doing remarkably well. But it's going to take a long time of rehab if he's going to be able to function."
Shepherd said part of his brother's "remarkable" recovery can be attributed to his athletic training.
Norman Shepherd, who works for Polk County's traffic division, is an avid bike rider and runner.
"For being 42, he's in extremely good shape," Barron Shepherd said.
Norman Shepherd cares for his 74-year-old mother, Valeria, who lives with him in Winter Haven.
When their father, James, was dying of cancer in 2004, Norman moved in with him temporarily to care for him.
"That's just the kind of guy my brother is," Barron Shepherd said.
TROUBLE WITH THE LAW
Saturday's arrest wasn't the first for Waters, who has a long list of previous criminal convictions and traffic offenses.
Attempts to contact Waters were unsuccessful Tuesday.
At first, the Polk City man's offenses were small - minor convictions for possession of tobacco by a minor and smoking on school grounds.
But things began to get more serious as Waters got older.
Between 2005 and 2007, Waters was cited for nine different traffic violations, including knowingly driving with a suspended license, careless driving with property damage and operating a vehicle in unsafe conditions, to name a few.
In 2001, Waters approached a man in Auburndale, threatened him and stole his bicycle. He was convicted of robbery and theft, reports said.
In 2002, Waters was convicted of grand theft, uttering a forged document, forgery and uttering a forged instrument when he tried to cash two phony checks at a store in Wahneta, reports from that case said.
For that he served more than a year in state prison, according to the Florida Department of Corrections.
And in 2008, while riding a bicycle in Auburndale, Waters was found with a glass pipe that tested positive for methamphetamine. He was convicted of possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
In Saturday's incident, Waters license was already suspended for 60 months for his numerous traffic convictions.
In talking with Lake Alfred police officers and deputies after the crash, he said he had been smoking methamphetamine and drinking before he drove that day.
Waters' history has left Norman Shepherd's family with many unanswered questions.
"I'm doing what I can to make people aware of the situation," Barron Shepherd said. "We're not going to sit quietly by. ... When is enough, enough?"
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Micheal S. Waters convicted felon, Charged with hit and run
| ||
| Contact Phone: 863.534.6631 | ||
PCSO Arrest Habitual Traffic Offender after Hit and Run Crash  At approximately 11:00 am, Saturday, March 6, 2010, Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic deputies responded to Cass Road, near Adams Barn Road in Lake Alfred in reference to a Hit and Run Traffic Crash.Through their investigation deputies learned that 28-year-old Michael S. Waters DOB 10/25/81, 10935 Demillie Road, Polk City, driving a Grey 1999 Ford Aerostar Van, was travelling westbound on Cass Road. At approximately the same time, 42-year-old Norman Patrick Shepherd, DOB 09/27/67, 9th Street NW, Winter Haven, was riding his bicycle westbound on Cass Road near the right shoulder of the roadway. Waters hit Shepherd from behind causing the victim’s head to strike the upper right area of the van’s windshield as the bicycle struck the front right area of the van. Waters drove partially off the roadway and then across Cass Road before coming to a stop on the southeast shoulder of the intersection of Adams Barn Road. As Waters drove across Cass Road, the victim was thrown from the windshield and onto a grassy portion of the shoulder in the northeast corner of the intersection. Waters got out of the van and began to run southbound along Adams Barn Road. A short time later, passersby approached the intersection, saw the victim lying on the ground and called emergency responders. Another witness had observed Waters’ suspicious behavior and contacted law enforcement. A Lake Alfred Police Officer, responding to the emergency call regarding the victim, was driving northbound on Adams Barn Road and came in contact with Waters nearly a mile south of the crash scene. There were 11 residences between the location where the Lake Alfred officer found Waters and the crash. Waters never stopped to notify anyone of the crash. Shepherd was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he remains in critical condition. Waters said he struck a man “up the road.” Waters also told the officer he had consumed alcohol and meth during the morning prior to the crash. The Lake Alfred officer brought Waters to the crash scene. In plain view inside the van, deputies located a loaded .22 rifle. There was a 20 oz bottle of beer in the front driver’s side floorboard. Waters is a convicted felon. Waters was arrested and charged with Driving on a Suspended License (Habitual Traffic Offender), Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Serious Bodily Injury, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Additional charges are pending blood and urine analysis results. This is an on-going investigation. Polk City man accused in deadly hit and run crash in Lake Alfred By MICHAEL W. FREEMAN THE REPORTER EDITOR LAKE ALFRED – A Polk City man was arrested over the weekend and charged with striking a bicyclist in Lake Alfred, then continuing to drive with the victim on the front of his van, before stopping and fleeing the scene. The Polk County Sheriff’s office says the suspect in this case, Michael S. Waters, 28, has a lengthy history of motor vehicle offenses prior to this crash.“This was a very shocking incident,” said Donna C. Wood, public information officer for the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. “He has a history of chronic traffic violations.” Waters, of 10935 Demillie Road, Polk City, was arrested and charged with driving on a suspended license as a habitual traffic offender, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There could be additional charges filed based on pending blood and urine analysis results. The accident happened on Saturday, March 6, in the morning. The sheriff’s office’s Traffic deputies got a call around 11 a.m. to respond to Cass Road, near Adams Barn Road in Lake Alfred, to investigate the hit and run crash. Deputies determined that Waters had been driving a Grey 1999 Ford Aerostar Van westbound on Cass Road. At the same time, a 42-year-old man, Norman Patrick Shepherd of Winter Haven, was riding his bicycle westbound on Cass Road near the right shoulder of the roadway. Deputies say Waters hit Shepherd from behind, causing the victim’s head to strike the upper right area of the van’s windshield as the bicycle struck the front right area of the van. Waters then drove partially off the roadway and across Cass Road, before coming to a stop on the southeast shoulder of the intersection of Adams Barn Road. As Waters drove across Cass Road, Shepherd was thrown from the windshield and onto a grassy portion of the shoulder in the intersection. Wood said Waters got out of the van, then started running along Adams Barn Road. “This man did nothing to get help for the victim,” she said. “He just ran from the scene.” Witnesses at the scene saw Shepherd lying on the ground and called emergency responders. Shepherd was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he remains in critical condition. Another witness had seen Waters run from the crash scene and called law enforcement. A Lake Alfred police officer, responding to the call, spotted Waters about a mile south of the crash scene. Wood said Waters, who is a convicted felon, ran past 11 homes between the location where the Lake Alfred officer found him and the site of the crash, and never stopped to notify anyone of what had happened, or that a man needed help.“We have no idea at all” why he ran from the scene, Wood said. “When he struck him, the victim went onto the vehicle and as he continued traveling on, he finally fell off.” Waters told the officer he had struck a man “up the road,” and that he had consumed alcohol and meth that morning before the crash. The Lake Alfred officer brought Waters to the crash scene, and inside his van, deputies found a loaded .22 rifle, and a 20 ounce bottle of beer in the front driver’s side floorboard. “We only hope,” Wood said, “that when people see this tragedy, they will understand the dangers posed by habitual traffic offenders.” | ||
Monday, March 8, 2010
A Travesty of Justice
Over the weekend my brother, Norman who is an avid bicycle rider, fitness buff, son and employee of the Polk County Board of Commissioner's Office of twenty years, was a victim of a hit and run. I received the call on saturday after noon that he had been airlifted to a hospital and in critical condition. He had been struck from behind by a person driving a van who had swerved off the road to hit him. My brother was thrown up on the hood of the van and then the driver swerved back onto the road crossing to the other side and then slamming on brakes veeering off the road and throwing my brother off onto the side of the road quite a distance off the road. The driver then ran away on foot leaving my brother lying on the side off the road. Sometime later a passing motorist saw him lying in the grass and called 911.
My brother suffered several broken bones and head trauma including several gashes and lacerations to his face and head after three hours of surgery he was listed in critical condition and was on a respirator.
The driver of the van, Michael S. Waters was arrested, upon his arrest it was learned he was a convicted felon. Waters has a long record of convictions such as grand theft, robbery, drug possession, battery, driving with a suspended license, no valid driver license, no vehicle registration and careless driving, according to Florida prison and court records. He was released from prison in 2004. In addition he is a habitual traffic offender who is legally prohibited from ever obtaining a driver's license. Waters was charged with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Sheriff's Office.
My family was told by the investigating officer that each of the charges would carry a 25,000.00 dollar bound and that he would be held in jail. While my family sits wondering what my brother's fate will be and awaits to see if my brother, who is in critical condition as of today, will pull thru or not. In less than 24 hours after his arrest Michael S. Waters was a free man paying only 700.00 dollars on only a 7,000.00 dollar bound spending only one night in the Polk County Jail and yet my mother is forced to look at her son as he lay in the hospital on a respirator with tubes running in an out of his body barely clinging to life. This is a complete and utter travesty of justice. This felon should not be allowed to walk the street.
My family and I have decided to become proactive in bringing the man who has caused so much damage to justice and will not let my brother, who lies in intensive care slipping in and out of consciousness, unable to speak, go unheard. I, my family and our friends will do what needs to be done to see that this individual is taken off the streets and is placed back in prison so he can do no more harm to any one ever again.
In light on this horrible event I find myself thinking of my brother and the times he has always been there not only for me but the entire family. He has given himself unselfishly to his family in times of need. He sat and took care of my father, who passed away from cancer, in the last weeks of his life and has provided a home for my mother. He has accompanied me to judo and martial art tournaments, showing his support and cheering me on. Norman even took up judo to be closer to me. His interests lie in the triathlon, running and bicylce riding and racing.
Earlier today, my mother, my aunt and uncle went to the scene of the hit and run and discovered that it was a miracle that the passerby had even seen my brother lying on the ground after the accident due to the fact that he was left quite a distance from the road. As we look into the accident it is more than apparent that Michael S. Waters tried to get away from the scene and then once caught he claimed he ran off looking for help.
I for one am determined to do every thing I can to bring attention to the kind of dispicable human being Michael S. Waters is and that this travesty doesnt go unpunished and he is prosecuted to the limits of the law. This man's actions not only affects the health and well being of my brother but others in our entire family who depend on him, his friends and coworkers as well. There is always more than one victim in a crime committed on a single person, it affects those around him as well a point of fact that unfortunately was not taken into consideration when Michael Waters was released.
My brother suffered several broken bones and head trauma including several gashes and lacerations to his face and head after three hours of surgery he was listed in critical condition and was on a respirator.
The driver of the van, Michael S. Waters was arrested, upon his arrest it was learned he was a convicted felon. Waters has a long record of convictions such as grand theft, robbery, drug possession, battery, driving with a suspended license, no valid driver license, no vehicle registration and careless driving, according to Florida prison and court records. He was released from prison in 2004. In addition he is a habitual traffic offender who is legally prohibited from ever obtaining a driver's license. Waters was charged with driving on a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the Sheriff's Office.
My family was told by the investigating officer that each of the charges would carry a 25,000.00 dollar bound and that he would be held in jail. While my family sits wondering what my brother's fate will be and awaits to see if my brother, who is in critical condition as of today, will pull thru or not. In less than 24 hours after his arrest Michael S. Waters was a free man paying only 700.00 dollars on only a 7,000.00 dollar bound spending only one night in the Polk County Jail and yet my mother is forced to look at her son as he lay in the hospital on a respirator with tubes running in an out of his body barely clinging to life. This is a complete and utter travesty of justice. This felon should not be allowed to walk the street.
My family and I have decided to become proactive in bringing the man who has caused so much damage to justice and will not let my brother, who lies in intensive care slipping in and out of consciousness, unable to speak, go unheard. I, my family and our friends will do what needs to be done to see that this individual is taken off the streets and is placed back in prison so he can do no more harm to any one ever again.
In light on this horrible event I find myself thinking of my brother and the times he has always been there not only for me but the entire family. He has given himself unselfishly to his family in times of need. He sat and took care of my father, who passed away from cancer, in the last weeks of his life and has provided a home for my mother. He has accompanied me to judo and martial art tournaments, showing his support and cheering me on. Norman even took up judo to be closer to me. His interests lie in the triathlon, running and bicylce riding and racing.
Earlier today, my mother, my aunt and uncle went to the scene of the hit and run and discovered that it was a miracle that the passerby had even seen my brother lying on the ground after the accident due to the fact that he was left quite a distance from the road. As we look into the accident it is more than apparent that Michael S. Waters tried to get away from the scene and then once caught he claimed he ran off looking for help.
I for one am determined to do every thing I can to bring attention to the kind of dispicable human being Michael S. Waters is and that this travesty doesnt go unpunished and he is prosecuted to the limits of the law. This man's actions not only affects the health and well being of my brother but others in our entire family who depend on him, his friends and coworkers as well. There is always more than one victim in a crime committed on a single person, it affects those around him as well a point of fact that unfortunately was not taken into consideration when Michael Waters was released.
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