POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A two-vehicle collision on Thornhill Road left one passenger dead and two others injured on Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene west of Winter Haven around 8:07 a.m. The crash occurred on Thornhill Road, roughly a quarter-mile south of Winter Lake Road.
Emergency responders transported all three individuals involved to local hospitals by ambulance. A 77-year-old Winter Haven woman died shortly after arriving at the medical facility. The other two people sustained minor injuries.
According to investigators, the Winter Haven woman was riding as a passenger in a blue 2026 Kia Sportage driven by her 66-year-old husband. The second vehicle, a black 2009 Chevy pickup truck, was operated by a 50-year-old woman, who is also a Winter Haven resident.
A preliminary investigation by traffic deputies indicates the Kia Sportage was traveling north and had either stopped or was slowing down behind a line of vehicles waiting at a traffic light. The Kia then suddenly crossed into the southbound lane. The driver later told investigators that his foot slid off the brake pedal and hit the accelerator, causing the SUV to lunge forward.
As the southbound Chevy pickup neared the Kia, both drivers tried to avoid hitting each other by steering toward the west. The vehicles subsequently collided.
Sheriff’s office investigators report that everyone involved in the crash appeared to be wearing their seat belts at the time of the impact.
The collision forced authorities to close Thornhill Road for about three hours on Tuesday morning while crews cleared the wreckage and gathered evidence. Officials stated that any potential charges remain pending as the investigation is still ongoing.
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