A 56-year-old bicyclist lost his life Sunday night after a pickup truck struck him from behind near Sunshine Avenue and Reynolds Road in Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash occurred around 9:10 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2026. Investigators reported that 60-year-old Mario Matias drove a Ford F-150 northbound on Reynolds Road when he hit the rear left wheel of a northbound bicycle. The bicycle had working lights at the time of impact. The collision threw the rider from the bike onto the road’s shoulder.
Emergency crews treated the bicyclist at the scene and transported him to a local hospital, where medical staff pronounced him dead on arrival.
Authorities stated the truck fled before first responders arrived. A witness reported seeing Matias pull over about a mile down the road, step out to examine the heavy damage to his truck, and then get back inside and drive away. Deputies used the witness’s tip to locate and stop the vehicle shortly after.
During a sworn interview with detectives, Matias admitted he knew he had hit something and left the scene anyway. He told investigators that if patrol deputies had not stopped him, he planned to keep driving home to Orlando without reporting the collision.
Deputies noted Matias showed no physical signs of impairment during the stop. However, a search following his arrest uncovered a small baggie of cocaine and fentanyl in his pocket. Investigators confirmed Matias is a legal immigrant, and an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer has been placed on him due to the nature of the charges.
Matias was booked into jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, possession of cocaine, and possession of fentanyl.
“Leaving the scene after a crash that takes a life is a terrible decision,” Sheriff Grady Judd said. “We’re proud of the witness who saw what happened and immediately told our deputies. Remember, if you see something, say something.”
The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit stated the investigation remains open.
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