A two-vehicle crash occurred Tuesday morning, June 2, 2026, and resulted in the death of one of the passengers.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at around 8:07 am, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, to the crash scene west of Winter Haven on Thornhill Road, about ¼ miles south of Winter Lake Road.
All three people who were involved in the crash were transported to local hospitals by ambulance. Two of the victims had minor injuries, but a female victim passed away shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The deceased victim was a 77-year-old Winter Haven woman. She was the passenger in a blue 2026 Kia Sportage that was driven by her 66-year old husband.
The other vehicle involved, a black 2009 Chevy pickup truck, was driven by a 50-year old woman who was also from Winter Haven.
The preliminary investigation, based on evidence and witness statements, shows that the blue Kia Sportage was northbound and either stopped, or rolling to a stop behind traffic that was stopped at a traffic light.
The Kia Sportage suddenly entered into the southbound lane. The driver said his foot slid off of the brake pedal and onto the accelerator, which caused the Kia to lunge forward.
As the southbound Chevy pickup approached the Kia, both drivers attempted to avoid a collision by steering to the west, causing the vehicles to collide.
All persons involved were believed to be wearing their seat belts.
Thornhill Road was closed for approximately three hours.
Any charges are pending completion of the investigation, which is ongoing.
