The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Lake Parker Drive East and Broadway Street in Lakeland, Florida. The accident occurred on Thursday, November 7, 2024, at approximately 5 pm, and resulted in three injuries and one death.

The only vehicle (a white Kia sedan) had three occupants, the driver, a 30-year-old man from Winter Haven, and his two young children. It appears the car was traveling west on Broadway Street toward the intersection with Lake Parker Drive East. The car went through the intersection, entered a wooded, grassy area and struck a tree. The car caught fire and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene.

A witness and the driver tried to get the children out of the back seat of the car. One of them was successfully rescued, but the other child tragically died in the fire. The driver and surviving child were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries. The witness who helped at the scene was also taken to hospital to receive treatment for burns he suffered while helping to remove the occupants from the car.

PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives respond to all fatal crashes. They are investigating the accident. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.