Polk County investigators search for driver in deadly hit-and-run

Image 1 of 6

A pedestrian is dead after a hit-and-run driver collided with him, deputies say. Polk County investigators are searching for the driver.

On Sunday, around 11:30 p.m., dispatchers received a call about the adult male who was hit by a vehicle in front of International Market World, located at 1052 U.S. Highway 92 West in Auburndale. Preliminary information indicates the victim, later identified as 45-year-old Eduardo Sanchez, a father of three, was hit from behind in the westbound turn lane that leads into the market.

The vehicle would have then been heading westbound. Deputies say Sanchez was thrown 75 feet the driver never even stopped.

“He was caring. He told me he loved me daily. Not a day went by where he didn't hug me and tell me he loved me and the kids,” said Martha Aguiler in translated Spanish. She was married to Sanchez.

"Everything reminds me of him and I do miss him... a lot," said his daughter Mayra Valle.  "We were close and he only wanted what was best for me," she said.

"We're hoping someone saw something in the area at the time this man was killed,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in a statement. “No matter how insignificant you think something is, if you saw or heard something suspicious, please, please give us a call. Whomever killed this man needs to be identified and arrested." 

Deputies are looking for a vehicle of interest.

“There's a white sedan - possibly a Nissan versa maybe a smallish boxier car that was seen....we don’t know if they happened to be there or if that vehicle ran over this our victim,” said Polk County Sheriff’s office spokesperson Scott Wilder.

Anyone with information about the suspected vehicle or driver is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s office at 863-298-6200 or can report an anonymous tip through Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-800-226-8477 or on www.P3tips.com.