LAKELAND, Fla. – A 21-year-old Lakeland man has died following a multi-vehicle crash on Saturday that investigators believe was caused by an attempt to “lane split” between two northbound vehicles on US Highway 98 South.
Blake Scott, of Lakeland, was identified by the Lakeland Police Department (LPD) as the deceased driver of a red Kawasaki motorcycle.
The fatal incident occurred on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at approximately 11:04 a.m., near the 700 block of US Highway 98 South. According to an LPD press release, Scott was traveling north on North US Highway 98 South when he began to lane split between a silver Toyota and a grey Jeep, which were both traveling northbound.
Investigators say the motorcycle first impacted the passenger’s side mirror of the Toyota. It then veered into the outside lane of travel, colliding with the rear of the Jeep.
Lakeland Police Patrol Units, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all responded to the scene to render aid. Scott was transported to Lakeland Regional Health via ambulance for treatment but was pronounced deceased later that day at 5:29 p.m.
The occupants of the other vehicles involved—identified as 61-year-old Lashaun Vernon and 67-year-old Tanegho Smith, both of Port Saint Lucie and Miramar respectively, who were in the Toyota, and 24-year-old Kylie Russo of Lakeland, the driver of the Jeep—were not injured in the crash.
Members of the LPD Traffic Homicide Unit responded and took over the ongoing investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours while the scene was processed.
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