A two-vehicle collision yesterday evening in Winter Haven has left a man dead and caused a local power outage, officials reported. The crash involved a Volkswagen Tiguan and a Toyota Supra, resulting in one vehicle catching fire and the other crashing into a utility pole.
The incident occurred around 7 p.m. on SR-544 near the intersection with 16th Street NW, as the driver of the Volkswagen, a 47-year-old Winter Haven man, attempted a left turn and entered the path of the oncoming Toyota Supra, driven by a 24-year-old from the same town. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the collision was so severe, that the Volkswagen spun into the median and burst into flames. The subsequent fire claimed the life of the Volkswagen's driver, as WTSP reports.
The Supra's collision with a utility pole disrupted electricity supply in the area, causing a power outage, as described by the FHP. The young driver of the Supra was transported to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, the FHP added. ABC Action News further detailed that the aftermath of the crash was promptly attended to by local emergency services.
Local authorities closed off the affected section of SR-544 for several hours as they conducted their investigation and cleared the wreckage. The circumstances leading to the fatal encounter, remain under probe by the Florida Highway Patrol, meanwhile, community members have expressed their shock and sorrow over the sudden loss of life, as WFLA reported. The crash highlights ongoing concerns over road safety in the area.
