Polk County Sheriff’s Phone# 863-298-6200
If in an emergency Dial 911
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 Carrie Horstman, Brian Bruchey, and Julianna Rivera. 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.
Jul 15, 2025
Auburndale man fatally hit by CSX train Tuesday morning
Media Contact: Brian Bruchey, PIO
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation after a man was fatally hit by a CSX train Tuesday morning, July 15, 2025.
Deputies were dispatched to the railroad tracks south of Norman Lane in Auburndale at approximately 5:32 am.
The victim, identified as 33-year old Steven Dylan Scott of Auburndale, was found deceased with blunt force trauma to his head, torso, and legs.
The investigation determined that the CSX train was traveling east at about 28 mph.
The train’s engineer saw Mr. Scott sitting on the ground, slumped over, with his feet hanging outward over the tracks. The train’s horn was used to warn Mr. Scott of the advancing train, but there was no reaction from him.
Mr. Scott was found to be in possession of a large amount of a crystal-like substances that tested positive for both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
An autopsy was completed by the Medical Examiner’s Office, which showed signs of a possible drug overdose, however the cause and manner of death is pending toxicology results.
Due to the train remaining stopped during the preliminary investigation, Recker Highway was closed near Derby Avenue in Auburndale for approximately three and a half hours.
The investigation is ongoing.