Former Polk County Deputy Absent from Trial in Fatal DUI Crash on Courtney Campbell Causeway

Former Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Kyle Roelofs, 35, is now a fugitive following his failure to appear in court for the anticipated commencement of his DUI manslaughter trial this week. The court session, held on Monday in Tampa, was meant to address charges stemming from a tragic incident on April 13, 2022, when Roelofs allegedly drove his orange Nissan GTR at speeds exceeding 100 mph on the Courtney Campbell Causeway, resulting in a catastrophic collision that killed two men.

Roelofs had been out on bail, set at ,000, since his arrest. Following a significant delay during which court officials awaited his arrival, Hillsborough Circuit Judge G. Gregory Green issued a warrant for Roelofs’ arrest when it became evident he would not be appearing. Prosecutors had expected Roelofs to plead guilty to DUI manslaughter, among other charges, leaving the determination of his sentence to the judge.

The crash claimed the lives of 44-year-old roommates Kris Koroly and Ricky Gongora, both employed at Salt Cracker Fish Camp in Clearwater. The occupants of the Kia Sorrento, which Roelofs’ vehicle struck, included William Camacho and Jessica Perez, both of whom sustained serious injuries. Eyewitness reports confirm that both Koroly and Gongora were ejected from the vehicle upon impact.

In the aftermath of Roelofs’ absence from court, family members of the victims expressed their dismay. They had anticipated the proceedings would bring some closure after nearly three years of legal turmoil. The blood alcohol concentration of Roelofs was reported at 0.69, measured approximately five hours post-collision, significantly above the legal limit of 0.08 in Florida. Investigators noted that Roelofs had visited two bars in St. Petersburg just prior to the tragic event.

Roelofs, a former deputy who served from 2010 to 2015, was terminated from his position for falsifying timecards to gain additional pay. He had attended previous hearings related to his case. Following his failure to appear in court, his legal representation has withdrawn, indicating he will need to secure new counsel upon his arrest.

Authorities are appealing to the public for assistance in locating Roelofs, urging anyone with information concerning his whereabouts to reach out to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Legal experts suggest that if apprehended, Roelofs is likely to face a stringent pretrial detention without bail, pending the resolution of his case. The families affected by this incident continue to seek justice and closure as the legal proceedings take an unexpected turn.

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