A fatal accident occurred Friday afternoon when a Lakeland resident collided with a semi-truck. According to abc Action News, the 58-year-old victim's Toyota Corolla crashed into the rear of the semi, which was carrying metal pipes from a nearby construction site.
The collision, which took place at approximately 12:40 p.m. at the intersection of Old Soldier Road and U.S. Highway 98 North compelled authorities to close both northbound and southbound lanes for almost five hours. According to the released information from the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the semi-truck was attempting to make a turn onto the northbound side of the highway as the Toyota, traveling in the opposite direction, collided with its rear end. The Polk County Sheriff's Office confirmed in an interview by WFLA that the crash remains under investigation.
The victim, whose identity has yet to be released, was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Rescue services, including sheriff’s deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue units, swiftly responded. The event also prompted response from the Florida Department of Transportation, which assisted with the road closure to facilitate a thorough investigation, as mentioned in the WTSP article.
