WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – Deputies say speed is believed to be a factor in a fatal motorcycle crash that occurred early Saturday morning in Winter Haven.
Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash, which occurred at about 1:51 am on Cypress Gardens Boulevard near Cypress Gardens Road.
26-year-old Freddie Wardlaw, III of Winter Haven, was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was the driver of a blue 2004 Suzuki Sport motorcycle.
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According to detectives, evidence and witness statements revealed that Mr. Wardlaw was traveling west on Cypress Gardens Boulevard at a high rate of speed and struck a curb while entering a slight curve in the roadway, and struck the Mid Florida Credit Union sign.
Investigators say Wardlaw was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash but suffered blunt-force trauma injuries.
The westbound lanes of the boulevard were closed for approximately three hours.
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