Traffic - Lake Wales Daily News

Multiple People Injured In Burns Avenue Crash

carl — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 01:51:10 +0000

LAKE WALES, Fla. — Emergency crews responded Saturday night to a two-vehicle crash at Burns Avenue and North 9th Street in Lake Wales that resulted in multiple patients and temporarily blocked the roadway.

The crash was reported at approximately 9:24 p.m. Saturday, August 8, according to Polk County Fire Rescue dispatch information.

Initial dispatch traffic described the vehicles as a red Nissan Maxima and a gray Volkswagen.

When Lake Wales Fire Department personnel arrived, radio traffic indicated there were two vehicles blocking the roadway and that occupants initially remained inside the vehicles. Lake Wales Police were requested to assist with traffic control.

A short time later, firefighters advised that they might need rescue tools to open one of the vehicle doors.

As crews continued evaluating those involved, fire personnel reported there were a total of three patients and requested that a second rescue unit respond to the scene.

The extent of the patients’ injuries and whether any of them were transported to an area hospital were not immediately available.

Daily Ridge is working to obtain additional information regarding the crash. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

The post Multiple People Injured In Burns Avenue Crash first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Lake Wales Truck Driver Cited After Lumber Shifts Through Cab on I-75

Allison — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 17:04:33 +0000

A 31-year-old Lake Wales man was cited Thursday morning after a load of lumber shifted forward through the cab of his tractor-trailer on Interstate 75 in Hillsborough County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. on July 16 near mile marker 245.

Troopers said the driver was traveling southbound on I-75 when he slowed abruptly due to traffic ahead. The sudden stop caused the load of lumber being transported to shift forward, crashing through the cab and front windshield before spilling onto the highway.

No injuries were reported, and no other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The crash temporarily closed the two outside southbound lanes of I-75 while crews cleared the roadway. The lanes reopened at approximately 8:40 a.m.

The driver was cited for failure to properly secure the load.

The post Lake Wales Truck Driver Cited After Lumber Shifts Through Cab on I-75 first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Upcoming Road Closure on 60 West

Allison — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:51:19 +0000

An upcoming roadway closure is scheduled on U.S. Highway 60 West between Bartow and Lake Wales for a Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CSX Transportation railroad crossing improvement project.

U.S. Highway 60 West is scheduled to close on Sunday, July 26 for an FDOT/CSX Transportation railroad crossing improvement project. The roadway will be closed at the railroad tracks located west of the U.S. Highway 60 West and West Lake Wales Road South intersection until railroad crossing improvement work is completed. The roadway is expected to remain closed for approximately two weeks and will result in significant detours as crews make necessary repairs to the railroad tracks.

Local traffic will be detoured using Old Bartow Road and Old Lake Wales Road. Large vehicle and truck traffic will be detoured 31 miles using U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 98.

For more information about the closure, visit www.swflroads.com/project/453830-1.

Info courtesy of Polk County Government Florida

The post Upcoming Road Closure on 60 West first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

High Speed Crash Leaves Multiple Children Injured After SUV Flips Into Canal in Highlands County

carl — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:21:50 +0000

A dangerous decision behind the wheel led to multiple children being hurt Saturday afternoon after a crash sent an SUV airborne and into a canal in Highlands County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, troopers responded around 1:31 p.m. on April 18 to Southwest Rucks Dairy Road, where they found a Ford Escape partially submerged in a water filled canal.

Investigators say the vehicle was carrying two adults and five children at the time of the crash.

According to the report, the driver told troopers he had been “showing off” while traveling northbound at a high rate of speed. He lost control of the SUV, which left the roadway, struck a mailbox, went airborne, and overturned into the canal.

The crash left several young children injured, including two with serious injuries.

A 10 year old girl, who was reportedly seated in the rear hatchback area of the SUV, suffered serious injuries and had to be airlifted to a hospital. A 7 year old boy also sustained serious injuries and was transported for treatment.

Three other children, a 5 year old boy and two 2 year olds, suffered minor injuries and were also taken to a hospital.

A 20 year old female passenger sustained minor injuries.

Troopers identified the driver as 19 year old Robert Oyd Lee Vanegas of Port St. Lucie. He was arrested at the scene and booked into the Highlands County Jail.

Authorities say Vanegas is facing charges including no driver’s license, reckless driving, and child neglect causing serious injury. Investigators allege the combination of reckless speed, unsafe conditions inside the vehicle, and failure to properly protect the children demonstrated a disregard for their safety.

The crash remains under investigation.

The post High Speed Crash Leaves Multiple Children Injured After SUV Flips Into Canal in Highlands County first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Lake Wales Teen Killed in Early Morning Interstate 4 Crash in Orange County, Several Other Local Teens Seriously Injured

carl — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:03:15 +0000

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.

A 17 year old male from Lake Wales was killed in a violent early morning crash on Interstate 4 that left multiple others seriously injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 3:30 a.m. on April 19, 2026, on westbound I 4 near mile marker 66 in Orange County.

According to FHP, a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling westbound when the vehicle suffered a right rear tire blowout. Troopers say the sudden failure caused the SUV to lose control and overturn multiple times, coming to rest across the shoulder and median.

High Speed Crash Leaves Multiple Children Injured After SUV Flips Into Canal in Highlands County

During the crash, one passenger was ejected from the vehicle and landed in the eastbound lanes of I 4.

A 2017 Lexus, driven by a 34 year old male from Sanford, was traveling eastbound and struck the ejected passenger. The Lexus also had a 28 year old female passenger. Neither were injured.

The ejected passenger, a 17 year old male from Lake Wales, was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced deceased.

The driver of the SUV, an 18 year old male from Bartow, along with several passengers, were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.

Passengers in the SUV included:
• an 18 year old male from Bartow
• a 16 year old male from Babson Park
• an 18 year old female, city unknown
• a 17 year old female from Babson Park
• an 18 year old female from Lake Wales
• a 19 year old female from Lake Wales

Woman Found Dead Near Plant City Bridge, Investigation Underway

Troopers reported that at least one occupant in the SUV was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.

** The Florida Highway Patrol does not release name.

Here is video by WFTV of the crash scene: https://www.wftv.com/news/orange-county-i-4-crash-kills-ejected-passenger/6a76b5a9-1052-467c-8661-071f9bca3dc2/

#image_title

The post Lake Wales Teen Killed in Early Morning Interstate 4 Crash in Orange County, Several Other Local Teens Seriously Injured first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Driver Dies After Corvette Fails to Stop, Plunges Into Water-Filled Area in Lake Wales

Allison — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:49:31 +0000

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a single vehicle crash that resulted in the death of the driver. The crash occurred on Sunday, March 22, 2026, at approximately 11:15 p.m.at the intersection of Canal Rd and Timberline Rd in Lake Wales.

Evidence shows that a 2022 Chevy Corvette, being driven by 20-year-old Enoch Hernandez of Bartow, was travelling northbound on Timberline Rd approaching the intersection of Canal Rd. The north side of Canal Rd. has a significant drop off and water filled area approximately 30 ft across, 200 feet long and at a minimum of 5 feet deep. Hernandez failed to stop at the stop sign and continued through the intersection and down into the water filled area. The vehicle rolled and came to a final rest partially submerged.

Upon arrival of first responders, Hernandez was pronounced deceased. He had one passenger in the vehicle who was airlifted to a local hospital with significant but non-life-threatening injuries. He is expected to make a full recovery. Both were wearing their seatbelts and airbags did deploy.

Next of kin was notified. The investigation remains ongoing.

The post Driver Dies After Corvette Fails to Stop, Plunges Into Water-Filled Area in Lake Wales first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Bartow Man Killed in Early Morning Crash with Semi on SR 60 in Lake Wales

Allison — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:33:17 +0000

The PCSO Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred in Lake Wales this morning on State Road 60 West at West Lake Wales Road North.

Around 3:20 a.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, there was a two-vehicle crash in the intersection involving a 2026 Freightliner semi-truck and a 2022 Kia K5 sedan. The driver of the Kia, a 32-year-old Bartow man, was deceased upon first responders’ arrival. His passenger, a 37-year-old Winter Haven woman, was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries.

The semi was heading east on SR 60 when, for unknown reasons, the Kia – which was also heading east – crashed into the back of it. The driver was not wearing his seatbelt but the airbags did deploy.

The investigation is ongoing.

The post Bartow Man Killed in Early Morning Crash with Semi on SR 60 in Lake Wales first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Motorcyclist from Avon Park killed in two-vehicle crash near Frostproof

carl — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:43:10 +0000

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026 near Frostproof.

Deputies were dispatched at about 7:47 am to the intersection of Old Avon Park Road and Sangster Road, southeast of Frostproof.

First responders attempted life-saving measures on one of the victims involved in the crash, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The deceased victim was the operator of a 2022 Yamaha motorcycle.

The other person involved was the driver of a 2017 Dodge Ram 2500. He remained at the scene for the investigation and declined medical treatment.

Based on the preliminary investigation by the PCSO’s Traffic Homicide detectives, the motorcycle had been traveling west on Old Avon Park Road, and passed a witness in a non-passing zone at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle then approached a curve too fast, and the bike crossed over the center line, into the path of the oncoming Dodge Ram. The two vehicles collided, and the motorcycle came to a rest under the rear axle of the truck.

The roadway was closed for approximately three hours after the crash.

No criminal or civil charges are anticipated at this time, but a final determination is pending the outcome of the investigation which remains ongoing.

The post Motorcyclist from Avon Park killed in two-vehicle crash near Frostproof first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Four People Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Unincorporated Lake Wales

Allison — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 14:57:14 +0000

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigations Unit is investigating a multi-vehicle crash that occurred on SR 60 East near the intersection with Capps Road in Lake Wales around 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.

The vehicles and occupants involved were:

2012 Chevrolet Equinox – all four people inside this vehicle died

2020 Chevrolet Malibu – the driver of this vehicle was trauma-alerted via ambulance from the scene with significant injuries; he had no passengers

2005 Toyota Tacoma – the driver of this vehicle was trauma-alerted via helicopter from the scene with significant injuries; he had no passengers

2018 Toyota Corolla – the driver of this vehicle had minor injuries and she was taken to a local hospital; the four children in her car were minimally injured and transported to a local hospital as a precaution

2025 Ford F-150 – this driver was minimally injured and treated by PCFR at the scene; he had no passengers

All of the drivers are adults.

Video Provided by East 60 Storage Lake Wales

According to the investigation so far, which includes physical evidence, witness statements, and video from the area, it appears that the Equinox and Malibu were heading westbound on SR 60, each in its own lane. The Equinox attempted to move into the lane that the Malibu occupied, clipping the right front of the Malibu with its rear left corner, causing the Equinox to rotate and cross the center median and then into the eastbound lanes and into the path of the Tacoma. The Tacoma struck the Equinox on its passenger side, causing significant intrusion into the car and killing all four occupants.

The Tacoma then rotated and was hit by the Corolla, and then went into the path of the F-150.

The impact of the two vehicles in the westbound lane also caused the Malibu to enter into the median and then become airborne and flip multiple times. It came to a rest in the eastbound lanes – it was not hit by any other vehicles.

None of the deceased are from Polk County and deputies are still working to locate and notify their next of kin. The investigation is ongoing.

The post Four People Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash in Unincorporated Lake Wales first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.

Four Dead, Multiple Injured in Multi Vehicle Crash on Highway 60 East of Lake Wales

carl — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:14:22 +0000

Exclusive Video Provided by East 60 Storage…

Lake Wales, Florida – Four people were killed and several others injured following a devastating multi vehicle crash on Highway 60 east of Lake Wales on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Grady Judd said the crash occurred shortly after 4 p.m. during a period of heavy traffic when vehicles were traveling both eastbound and westbound along the highway.

“For reasons unknown at this early stage of the investigation, one vehicle crossed over the median into the path of other vehicles,” Judd said

“For reasons unknown at this early stage of the investigation, one vehicle crossed over the median into the path of other vehicles,” Judd said during an on scene press conference. “When that occurred, there was a horrible crash.”

A total of eleven people were involved in the collision, which included five vehicles. Four of the eleven occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. All four fatalities were occupants of the same vehicle, Judd said.

Fatal Crash On S.R. 60 – Photo Credit: reader D. Massey

Two additional individuals were airlifted to local trauma centers, while the remaining injured victims were transported by ground ambulance to area hospitals. The extent of their injuries was not immediately released.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office homicide unit responded to the scene and will remain throughout the evening as the investigation continues. Judd emphasized that the investigation is still in its early stages and that the cause of the crash has not yet been determined.

Highway 60 east of Lake Wales has been completely shut down for several hours as investigators process the scene and cleared the roadway. Motorists are urged to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

“Our hearts break for all of those involved,” Judd said. “We ask for prayers for the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this tragic event.”

No additional details were released Wednesday evening. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

The post Four Dead, Multiple Injured in Multi Vehicle Crash on Highway 60 East of Lake Wales first appeared on Lake Wales Daily News.