Fugitive ex-deputy vanishes before trial in deadly sports car crash

An arrest warrant has been issued for a former deputy in Polk County, Florida, who did not show up for his April trial after facing charges of two counts of manslaughter in 2022. 

In the early hours of April 12, 2022, Joshua Roelofs is accused of causing the deaths of Kris Koroly, 44, and Ricky Gongora, 44, in a high-speed DUI accident on the Courtney Campbell Causeway in the Tampa, Florida, region.

A third person was left permanently disabled after the wreck.

Joshua Roelofs mughsot

Joshua Roelofs after his 2022 arrest (Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office)

Moments before the 2022 collision, dashcam footage from inside the Nissan GT-R sports car driven by Roelofs allegedly recorded him driving erratically and weaving between lanes before crashing into an SUV that transported Koroly, Gongora, and two additional people.

One of the surviving passengers sustained a severe brain injury in the crash and was in a coma for four months. He reportedly “struggles to walk, has seizures, needs constant assistance and has a reduced mental capacity,” the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Roelofs has ties to Ohio and Michigan. 

Polk County Sheriff's Office car

Joshua Roelofs is a former Polk County Sheriff’s deputy. (Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Fox News Digital reached out to his attorneys, Deborah Barra and Glen Lansky, who withdrew as his counsel when he failed to appear in court. 

The U.S. Marshals Service did not return a comment request. 

You May Also Like

Video shows small plane clip pickup truck during emergency landing on busy Florida road

Video: Small Plane Clips Pickup Truck in Emergency Florida Landing

A small plane transformed a Florida roadway into an emergency landing strip…
Bill Maher Unleashes After Left’s Sweeping Midterms Victory, Warns Democrats

Bill Maher Warns Democrats After Left’s Sweeping Midterm Wins

Bill Maher isn’t celebrating the Democrat Party’s sweeping midterm victories without reservations.…
Moment hot air balloon crash lands in sleepy California neighborhood

Hot Air Balloon Crash Landing Shocks Quiet California Neighborhood

A hot air balloon made an unexpected emergency landing in the backyard…
Erika Kirk blasts 'leftist' comedians after Dave Chappelle's joke about husband Charlie's murder: 'Beyond disgusting'

Erika Kirk Slams Dave Chappelle Over Joke About Charlie’s Murder

Erika Kirk condemned jokes about her husband Charlie Kirk’s murder as “beyond…
The secret turbulence of Charles and Anne Lindbergh's marriage

Inside Charles and Anne Lindbergh’s Secretly Turbulent Marriage

By any standard, Charles Lindbergh and Anne Morrow Lindbergh were remarkable figures:…
Georgia teens, adult charged with murder after mom finds son Austin Payne dead in home

Georgia Teens and Adult Charged After Austin Payne Found Dead at Home

Three teenagers and a 22-year-old man are facing murder charges in Georgia…
Gingrich: Dems will fail in 2028 if they don’t work with Trump

Newt Gingrich Warns Democrats: Work With Trump or Lose in 2028

Democrats risk derailing their chances in the 2028 election if they shift…
Dave Chappelle makes ghoulish joke about Charlie Kirk at MSG

Dave Chappelle Makes Dark Charlie Kirk Joke During MSG Show

Dave Chappelle told a sold-out audience at Madison Square Garden that he…
Israel's president gives Netanyahu's rival Gadi Eisenkot a chance

Israel President Gives Netanyahu Rival Gadi Eisenkot a Chance

Israel’s president on Saturday tapped Gadi Eisenkot, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s most…
Stephen Colbert accused of crossing Harvard picket line before event with Yo-Yo Ma cut short by alarm

Colbert Accused of Crossing Harvard Picket Line as Alarm Halts Event

Stephen Colbert, host of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” (CBS Photo…
Trump’s proposed Russia deal raises NATO alarm as ex-commander warns Putin seeks influence over Europe

Trump’s Proposed Russia Deal Alarms NATO as Former Commander Warns Putin Seeks European Influence

Trump says US ‘negotiated’ with Russia to end Ukraine war President Donald…
Toddler, 2, killed in crash outside Apple Park in Cupertino

2-Year-Old Killed in Crash Outside Apple Park in Cupertino

A two-year-old girl died Friday after two cars collided outside Apple’s sprawling…