News and Investigations

News & Investigations

News Releases and Public Information

Welcome to the Polk County Sheriff's Office News Room, where the Public Information Officers (PIO's) post all of the information that they release to the news media. PIO's act as liaisons between news media organizations and the Sheriff's Office. The PIO's routinely release timely and accurate information and Crime Stoppers bulletins, and respond to routine and "breaking news" media inquiries. News releases and Crime Stoppers information can be found on this page.

PCSO's full-time Public Information Officers are Brian Bruchey, Carrie Horstman, and Meghan Petty. The Public Information Officers can be reached by sending an e-mail collectively at PIOs@polksheriff.org.

The recent news releases sent out by the PIOs can be found here, and archived releases (older than 2017) can be found here.

Feb 20, 2025

Davenport man arrested for vehicular homicide for a fatal crash last November

Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO

Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, for causing a fatal crash in Davenport last year.

The two-vehicle crash occurred Sunday morning, November 3, 2024, on US 27 at Poitras Road Two.

84-year old Donald Shelby Wright of Davenport died during emergency surgery following the crash.

The driver of the other vehicle, 27-year old Paul Castellano Aponte of Davenport was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

“My Traffic Homicide detectives are the very best at what they do. They conducted extensive analysis all of the evidence, and determined that this wasn’t a crash caused by carelessness; this crash was caused by reckless operation and a total disregard for the safety of everyone on the road that day.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff

The crash data recorder showed that Mr. Castellano Aponte’s Mazda sedan was traveling 101 mph about five seconds prior to the crash. The speed limit in that area is 55 mph.

The Mazda’s speed was calculated to be 71 mph at the time it collided with Mr. Wright’s Ford EcoSport.

Witness statements were consistent with the analysis, saying that the Mazda was being recklessly operated prior to the crash, and was weaving through traffic.

Following his arrest, Mr. Castellano Aponte told detectives that he was speeding because he was tired from working all night.

Paul Castellano Aponte was booked-in at the Polk County Jail and charged with Vehicular Homicide (F2).