Man suspected in fatal Polk County DUI crash dies following arrest, deputies say
Photo of Doroteo Martinez-Castro, provided by PCSO
HAINES CITY, Fla. - The suspect in a deadly DUI crash, who was in the country illegally, suffered a delayed death after being arrested, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the suspect, identified as 43-year-old Doroteo Martinez-Castro, was involved in a head-on crash on the evening of April 22 in unincorporated Haines City. It occurred at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17/92 and Lee Jackson Highway North. One man died from his injuries shortly after the crash.
The suspect, who was charged with DUI manslaughter, was arrested after being treated and released from AdventHealth Heart of Florida Hospital in Haines City.
After being booked into the Polk County Jail, the suspect became ill while he was in the South County Jail medical dorm. He was taken to AdventHealth Sebring Hospital where he died.
"Deputies checked on him every 14-15 minutes. When his food tray was delivered at 10:40 a.m., a deputy noticed he was sitting in his wheelchair unresponsive," according to a news release from the sheriff's office. "Deputies and medical staff immediately began CPR until he was transported to Sebring. He was declared deceased at the hospital at 11:31 a.m."
An initial autopsy shows he died from "crash-related internal injuries," deputies noted. A final report is in progress as officials await the toxicology results.
Investigators said Martinez-Castro had been arrested in Haines City in the past and was deported to Mexico twice since 2019. Officials said he had a learner's permit.