The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a traffic crash with serious bodily injury that occurred early this morning in unincorporated Lake Wales. According to the preliminary investigation so far, it appears that just after 1:00 a.m. on January 1, 2025, a 2023 Kawasaki motorcycle being operated by a 30-year-old Haines City man was traveling east on Tindel Camp Road approaching the intersection with Lake Mabel Loop Road when, for unknown reasons, the motorcyclist lost control of his bike, causing it to overturn and slide approximately 100 yards inside the eastbound lane.
Another motorcycle, a 2024 Suzuki, was also heading east on Tindel Camp an unknown distance behind the Kawasaki. The 25-year-old Winter Haven man operating that bike appears to have swerved to avoid crashing into the overturned Kawasaki in the roadway front of him, causing him to lose control of the Suzuki and overturn, coming to a rest on the shoulder of the road. It does not appear that the two bikes collided. Both of the motorcyclists were ejected from their bikes.
The Kawasaki driver has extremely significant head injuries and was unable to be interviewed regarding the crash. The Suzuki driver gave minimal information to the deputies at the scene. Both were transported to the hospital and were admitted. Neither were wearing helmets. The roadways in that area were shut down for approximately four hours, and the investigation is ongoing.
