A nighttime visit to a southeast Winter Haven neighborhood ended in heartbreak Friday when a 3-year-old girl was fatally struck by a pickup truck, authorities said. First responders pronounced the child dead shortly after they arrived.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the crash happened around 11:08 p.m. in the Savanna Pointe subdivision near County Road 653 and Eloise Loop Road. Multiple 911 callers reported that a child had been hit by a Ford pickup truck, according to Tampa Bay 28. Polk County deputies, Winter Haven police and the Winter Haven Fire Department all responded.
Witnesses told deputies that adults and children had been crossing back and forth between homes throughout the evening. Investigators noted that the street has a posted speed limit of 25 mph and was lined with parked vehicles, per Tampa Bay 28.
Investigation and Vehicle Details
Deputies said the driver remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators and completed field sobriety tests that showed no signs of impairment. Authorities searched the pickup, described by investigators as a lifted Ford Raptor with oversized tires, and then had it towed for further inspection. Investigators say the driver told them he did not realize he had struck the child until people began yelling and chasing after the truck.
At this time no criminal or civil charges are expected, though the investigation remains ongoing, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
What Comes Next
Family, friends and neighbors are reeling after the crash, and officials have asked anyone with information to contact law enforcement as detectives continue to piece together what happened that night. This story will be updated as authorities release more details.
