Lakeland father charged with DUI manslaughter after crash that killed 5-year-old daughter, injured son

LAKELAND, Fla. - A Lakeland father has been arrested more than a month after a car crash that killed his 5-year-old daughter and seriously injured his son, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

PCSO says they have charged Kody Wills, 30, with DUI manslaughter after toxicology reports showed his blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit after the crash.

Mugshot of Kody Wills. Courtesy: Polk County Jail.

Investigators said Wills ran a stop sign along Broadway Street and crashed into a tree on Nov. 7.

After the crash, the car burst into flames, killing Wills' 5-year-old daughter while his 3-year-old son sustained severe burns to his face.

Image is courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

PCSO said a deputy could smell alcohol on Wills' breath after the crash, but Wills was unable to complete any standing sobriety tests because of his injuries from the crash, so a blood sample was taken at the hospital.

Along with DUI manslaughter, Wills is charged with DUI causing serious bodily injury and two counts of negligent child abuse.

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"Nothing will bring this beautiful child back to her family, nor heal the injuries to her brother or the emotional devastation that Kody Wills has caused to so many people," Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "We know that it has been a horrific seven weeks for this family. While our detectives made sure to cross every T and dot every I throughout every step of this investigation, we are confident that we have done everything in our power to ensure Kody Wills is charged appropriately with every felony that he committed, and hopeful that justice will be served. Please continue to pray for this family."

Wills' first court appearance is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 1.

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