A Lakeland woman involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash has been sentenced following a plea agreement.
Cassidy Mullis, 23, received:
• 4 years mandatory minimum in Florida State Prison
• 120 months (10 years) probation
• 3-year driver’s license suspension
The charges stem from a hit-and-run crash that occurred shortly before 2 a.m. on June 25, 2024, in the 3000 block of Bartow Road.
Lakeland Police officers located a bicyclist, 42-year-old Paul Ruis of Lakeland, deceased at the scene. Investigators later identified a gray 2018 Nissan Sentra as the suspect vehicle, which was found hours later at a residence in Winter Haven with damage consistent with the crash.
Police reported that Mullis admitted she was driving at the time of the crash. Investigators determined she knew or should have known the collision resulted in serious injury or death and failed to stop and remain on scene.
Mullis was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, a first-degree felony.