Aggressive Driving Leaves Davenport Man Dead, Investigators Say

Speed and reckless driving were the reported cause of a fatal crash that left a Davenport man dead and Scenic Highway blocked for several hours early Saturday.

Courtesy PCSO

The remains of a Toyota Tundra were found in a citrus grove near Egg Farm Road early Saturday after a second crash. The driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and died at the scene.

According to Polk Sheriff's investigators, 50-year-old Edgar Peneloza was driving a black 2005 Toyota Tundra southbound near Hickory Hammock Road in the Lake of the Hills community when his vehicle struck the rear end of a silver 2020 Honda Civic.

The driver of the Civic, who was not identified by investigators, lost control and crashed his vehicle, but Penaloza continued southbound from the scene at a high rate of speed for another quarter mile before losing control of his vehicle as he approached a right-hand curve near Egg Farm Road in an unincorporated area of Lake Wales.

According to the driver of the Civic, he had been driving aggressively and tailgating before striking the Civic.

The first crash happened at 12:56 a.m., according to the 911 call. The second was discovered by responding officers, who found the Toyota had "overturned multiple times," according to the report, with the bed of the truck having become separated from the cab. The vehicle was found well off the road in a citrus grove.

Penaloza was found deceased after being ejected from the truck during the crash. He had not been wearing a seatbelt, according to investigators. Although the Polk Sheriff's Office described Penaloza as a resident of Davenport, he has also been described as a resident of Lake Wales by family members.

The driver of the Civic was not injured in the crash, according to investigators.