POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 24-year-old Mulberry man with no driver’s license has been arrested following Tuesday’s SR-60 crash that left two people dead.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Elmer Bryan Giron-Canil was arrested and charged causing injury or death while not possessing a driver’s license.

Authorities said Giron-Canil is a Guatemalan citizen and is in the U.S. illegally.


What You Need To Know

  • Two people have died and multiple people were injured after a crash on State Road 60 near Mulberry Tuesday

  • A Bartow High School senior is among those in the hospital

  • Polk Sheriff's deputies arrested Elmer Bryan Giron-Canil, 24, and charged him with causing the accident and not having a driver's llicense

Giron-Canil was driving a 2007 Ford Expedition westbound on SR 60 just before 6 a.m. when he turned into the path of Chevrolet pick up truck being driven by an 18-year-old Bartow High student, authorities say.

According to officials, upon arrival of first responders, a 33-year-old man was found dead in Canil’s vehicle. A second passenger, a 62-year-old man, was transported to an area hospital where he died from his injuries.

Four other passengers were in the Expedition. They were transported to area hospitals where they are being treated for their injuries; two are in stable condition, one is in critical-stable condition, and one is in critical-unstable condition.

The teen driver the truck was transported to an area hospital where she is being treated for her injuries and is in stable condition.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Elmer Bryan Giron-Canil was arrested and charged causing injury or death while not possessing a driver’s license. (Polk County Sheriff's Office)

Officials said Canil told detectives that he saw the headlights of the Chevrolet approaching but thought he could make it across. He also said he did not have a driver’s license because he was in the country illegally.

Canil was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and then transported to the Polk County Jail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed an immigration detainer for Canil after confirming he is illegally in the country.

“Not only is Canil in the country illegally, but his criminal actions have cost two people their lives and caused catastrophic injuries to others,” said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. “Our prayers are with the victims and families affected by this horrific crash.”