POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A 3-year-old girl from Lake Wales died Friday evening after being struck by a pickup truck in a southeast Winter Haven neighborhood, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred in the Savanna Pointe subdivision at the intersection of County Road 653 and Eloise Loop Road. The agency’s Emergency Communications Center began receiving multiple 911 calls regarding the collision at approximately 11:08 p.m.
Deputies, along with personnel from the Winter Haven Police Department and the Winter Haven Fire Department, responded to the subdivision. First responders said the child was deceased shortly after arriving at the scene.
According to preliminary investigative findings, the victim was visiting the neighborhood for a family and friends gathering. The event took place at two separate residences located on opposite sides of the street. Witnesses told investigators that both adults and children had been walking back and forth across the roadway throughout the evening. Parked vehicles lined the street, which has a 25-mph speed limit.
The vehicle involved, a lifted Ford Raptor pickup truck with oversized tires, was towed from the scene for a mechanical inspection.
The driver of the truck was not injured in the crash. According to the sheriff’s office, he remained at the scene and cooperated with the ongoing investigation. The driver performed field sobriety tests and permitted deputies to search his vehicle. Authorities stated he exhibited no signs of impairment.
Investigators noted the driver told them he did not see the child and did not realize his vehicle had struck anyone until he heard bystanders shouting and noticed people running after his truck.
The sheriff’s office indicated that no criminal or civil charges are anticipated at this stage, though a final determination will depend on the outcome of the full investigation.
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