Polk Man Was Driving 112 MPH Before Killing Frostproof Woman: Sheriff

POLK COUNTY, FL — Following a six-month investigation, Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested 20-year-old Coleden Snowden of Babson Park Tuesday and charged him with vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in the death of a Frostproof woman.

According to the sheriff, around 11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21, 53-year-old Patricia Robarts of Frostproof had just left The Coop restaurant on Waverly Road where she worked and began turning left onto Scenic Highway. Snowden was traveling west in a Chevy Tahoe, and attempted to brake and swerve to avoid striking her car, but was unsuccessful.

He struck the driver's side door of Robarts' Kia and the car caught fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The sheriff's office said an extensive investigation and reconstruction of the crash indicated that Snowden operated his vehicle with a willful, wanton disregard for human life, causing Robart's death.

A download of the Tahoe's Airbag Control Module revealed that the Tahoe was traveling 112 mph with no braking five seconds before striking the Kia. Braking began four seconds before the collision when the car was going 112 mph. A second later, it slowed to 104 mph; two second later, it slowed to 94 mph and it struck Robart's vehicle at 65 mph. The speed limit on the road is 55 mph.

The sheriff's office said Snowden intentionally drove up a hill at 112 mph after passing a warning sign regarding a hidden driveway on a dark, unlit rural road.

"The tragic death of Ms. Robarts was completely avoidable, if only Coleden Snowden had obeyed the posted speed limit and not driven so recklessly," said Sheriff Grady Judd. "He is now facing a serious felony, and we hope that his arrest serves as an example to others about the importance of traffic safety. Ms. Robarts' friends and family members are in our prayers."