A 77-year-old woman died in a two-vehicle crash June 2 near Winter Haven, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported.
PCSO deputies were dispatched at 8:07 a.m., along with Polk County Fire Rescue, to the crash scene on Thornhill Road, about a quarter-mile south of Winter Lake Road.
The preliminary investigation, based on evidence and witness statements, shows that a blue 2026 Kia Sportage was northbound and either stopped or was rolling to a stop behind traffic that was stopped at a traffic light, PCSO said in a news release. 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, PCSO said.
As a southbound black 2009 Chevy pickup truck approached the Kia, both drivers attempted to avoid a collision by steering to the west, causing the vehicles to collide.
All three people who were involved in the crash were taken to local hospitals by ambulance. Two of the victims had minor injuries, but a passenger in the Kia Sportage died shortly after arrival. PCSO identified her as Patricia Diann Quimby of Winter Haven.
The Kia Sportage was driven by her spouse, David John Quimby, 66. All involved were believed to be wearing their seat belts, PCSO said. Any charges are pending completion of the investigation, which is ongoing, PCSO said.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 77-year-old woman dies in two-vehicle crash on Thornhill Road
Reporting by Lakeland Ledger / The Ledger
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