Four Corners A Polk County man has been charged with attempted murder by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Department, who say he attempted to run over a man with heavy construction machinery after a night of drinking and sex. Officials say that the accused will not be charged with a hate crime, as the sex was consensual, and the circumstances of the incident do not meet the criteria of a hate crime.
     Nathaniel David Lundquist, 21, of Polk City, is accused of running over James S. Karelas, 26, of Davenport early June 3 on a dirt road off U.S. Highway 27 in the Four Corners area of Osceola County. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office took Lundquist into custody, and he has been booked in the Polk County jail.
     According to reports, Lundquist met Karelas at Linkester’s Tap Room in Polk County. The two men left the bar at closing time with the intent of going to Karelas’ home. Lundquist drove himself and Karelas to a construction area near Tri-County Road, where they parked and had sex outside of the vehicle. 
     Karelas told deputies that Lundquist returned to his car, saying he needed to retrieve something, but instead drove away. Karelas said Lundquist returned, but was driving a motor grader and ran Karelas over. Karelas said he was struck in the leg with the construction equipment and knocked into a ditch. Despite screaming at Lundquist to stop, Karelas said Lundquist turned the vehicle around and struck him again.
     A deputy’s report says that a Caterpillar motor grader was found parked near the scene, and marks on the road “appeared to be of someone dragging on the ground with foot and hand prints on the dirt.” Tire tracks also appeared to make a U-turn returning toward the crime scene. 
     According to reports, Karelas remained in a ditch near a wooded area close to the ChampionsGate community, while Lundquist searched for him before leaving the scene. Two hours later, a witness spotted Karelas and contacted authorities for assistance.
     Twis Lizasuain, public and media relations director for the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, said that case did not meet the necessary criteria for Lundquist to be charged with a hate crime, primarily because the sexual activities were consensual. She also said Lundquist has denied hitting Karelas with a large piece of machinery.