WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A Sunday evening car crash in north Winter Haven led to the arrest of a local man who allegedly tried to ditch drug paraphernalia while being detained by deputies. The incident began around 6:21 pm on March 15, 2026, when Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to the intersection of Carefree Cove Drive and Edgewater Drive.
Upon arrival, first responders found an unoccupied, purple 2005 Chrysler 300 overturned near a TECO power pole. While deputies surveyed the wreckage, a witness at the scene pointed out a man walking away from the area.
Deputies caught up with the individual and identified him as 20-year-old Ja’tavious Lamount Scaife of Winter Haven. Scaife was not injured in the rollover.
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According to arrest records, as deputies were detaining Scaife, he attempted to throw a THC vape cartridge away from his person.
A deputy spotted the movement and recovered the item. Authorities noted that Scaife showed visible signs of impairment and later admitted to smoking marijuana shortly before the accident occurred. He refused to perform any Field Sobriety Tests at the scene.
Scaife was booked into jail on a variety of charges, including tampering with physical evidence, possession of a synthetic drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also faces counts of driving without a valid license, failing to register his vehicle, leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and DUI with property damage.
Records show Scaife’s previous criminal history includes charges for burglary, dealing in stolen property, petit theft, and violation of probation.
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