Polk County Sheriff’s Department Press Release
A crash occurred around 11:30 p.m. on Scenic Hwy North at Waverly Road in Babson Park and involved a silver 2018 Kia Stinger and a silver 2005 Chevy Tahoe.
53-year-old Patricia Roberts of Frostproof had just left her place of employment (The Coop restaurant) and exited out onto Waverly Road. She stopped at the intersection of Waverly and Scenic Hwy North and then began turning left (east) onto Scenic Hwy. For unknown reasons, she hesitated and stopped in the westbound lane. Her car was observed by 19-year-old Coleden Snowden (he will actually be 20 on March 26th) of Babson Park, who was driving the Tahoe west on Scenic Hwy. He attempted to brake and swerve to avoid hitting her car, but was unable to avoid the collision. The Tahoe struck the Kia on the driver’s side door. The Kia immediately caught fire, and Roberts was declared deceased at the scene after first responders arrived and extinguished the flames. Snowden was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated and released for his minor injuries.
Snowden did not appear to be impaired and the investigation is ongoing. The roadway was closed for approximately four hours.
