POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A late-night collision on State Road 33 north of Polk City resulted in one fatality and left another person seriously injured, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the crash site at 18870 North Commonwealth Avenue at approximately 11:53 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, 2024. The location is about two miles south of the Polk County-Lake County border.
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Upon arrival, first responders found a 49-year-old Lakeland man deceased inside a 2021 Toyota Corolla LE. The second driver, a 34-year-old Orlando man, was discovered with serious injuries, including broken ribs and a fractured wrist. He was extricated from his 2021 Mazda CX-9 and transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Initial findings indicate that the Mazda CX-9, traveling northbound on Commonwealth Avenue, crossed the center line for reasons still under investigation. The vehicle collided nearly head-on with the southbound Toyota Corolla.
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The roadway was closed for approximately four hours as investigators processed the scene. Authorities have not ruled out potential criminal charges, which remain pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
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