POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A late-night ride turned tragic on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, when a Lake Wales woman riding an electric bicycle was hit from behind and killed near Babson Park.
Emergency responders from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue were called to the two-vehicle crash on Scenic Highway (State Road 17), just east of Ward Loop Road, at approximately 10:33 p.m. Upon arrival, first responders located the 56-year-old woman, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to traffic investigators, the woman was riding her e-bike westbound in the westbound lane of Scenic Highway, positioned about 2 to 3 feet from the edge of the pavement. A 2022 Jeep TrackHawk, driven by a 30-year-old man also from Lake Wales, was traveling west in the same lane when it struck the bicycle from behind.
The victim was making a 15-mile trip from her workplace to her home when the crash occurred. Investigators noted she was wearing an orange reflective vest at the time, but was not wearing a helmet.
While the electric bicycle was equipped with both front and rear lights, the extensive damage from the impact made it impossible for deputies to determine if they were actively functioning before the collision. The driver of the Jeep stated to investigators that he did not see any lights prior to the impact.
The 30-year-old driver was not injured in the incident. He stayed at the scene following the collision and cooperated fully with the responding deputies.
The crash forced authorities to close Scenic Highway in both directions for roughly three hours while traffic investigators processed the scene and cleared the wreckage.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation into the incident remains open, though they do not anticipate filing any criminal or civil charges at this time.
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