POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland father is charged with manslaughter for a car crash that killed his 5-year-old daughter and injured his 3-year-old son in November.
Logan Deines, the mother of his children, says it’s a tragedy that could have been avoided.
“It’s very upsetting. It’s very frustrating. This wouldn’t be a reality had he just said, ‘Hey, I can’t keep the kids today,’” she said.
Polk County sheriff’s deputies arrested 30-year-old Kody Wills on Tuesday. Authorities say he was driving the car involved in the fiery wreck on Nov. 7. According to a toxicology report from the University of Florida Pathology Lab, Wills’ blood alcohol content was 0.25 — three times the legal limit — when he crashed into a wooded area near Lake Parker Drive with his children in the backseat.
“I think it’s very selfish of somebody to even get that drunk, knowing it’s their day to get their kids and having multiple opportunities to leave the children in a safe environment,” Deines said. “You took it upon yourself to get them.”
Deines was home at the time of the incident. Thankfully, she says Good Samaritan AJ Slater was there to jump into action after hearing Wills’ cries. Slater told Spectrum Bay News 9 that he reached into the burning car and pulled out 3-year-old Walker first. He tried to rescue 5-year-old Joylynn, but she didn’t survive.
“I’m grateful that AJ was there and I'm grateful he was able to jump in and save Walker, but at the same time, the person behind the wheel should have never put the kids in that position,” Deines said.
Wills now faces several charges, including DUI manslaughter and negligent child abuse. However, Deines says no number of charges will ever be enough. She hopes this tragedy serves as a lesson to other parents.
“Be sorry for protecting your kids, not because you have to live without them,” she said.
Wills is being held at the Polk County Jail with no bond, pending a judge’s ruling on a motion for pretrial detention. The hearing is scheduled for Monday at 1 p.m.