Polk City Man Killed in Early Morning ATV Crash

Map of Fussell Road. Credit: Google

POLK CITY, Fla. — A 39-year-old Polk City man died early Thursday after losing control of his all-terrain vehicle on a rural Polk County road and then being struck by a passing vehicle that failed to stop at the scene, authorities said.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon Roy Moran was operating a Polaris Sportsman 400 ATV when the crash occurred around 3:01 a.m. on April 23, 2026. Deputies responded to Fussell Road, approximately a quarter-mile east of Commonwealth Avenue and about two miles north of Polk City.

First responders found Moran deceased at the scene with severe head trauma. Traffic Homicide investigators believe Moran lost control of the ATV, was ejected from the vehicle, and struck his head on the pavement. He remained on the roadway for an unknown period before a second, unidentified vehicle struck him in the head.

The driver of the passing vehicle did not stop and may not have realized they hit the victim, investigators said.

Fussell Road was closed for approximately four hours while crews worked the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing. No further details were released.