POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Polk County Roads and Drainage employee was tragically killed Thursday morning while clearing debris from Hurricane Milton. The incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. on U.S. Highway 98 near Brooke Road in unincorporated Fort Meade.
Bruce Kinsler, 68, of Bartow, was part of a four-man crew removing a fallen tree from the roadway. As they worked, a coworker, Joel Wagner, 57, of Fort Meade, driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck, struck the tree. The impact pushed the tree into Kinsler and another worker. Wagner’s truck then collided with the crew’s parked vehicle.
Read: Polk County Continues Recovery After Hurricane Milton
Kinsler was fatally injured and pronounced dead at a local hospital. His coworker sustained minor injuries and was treated and released. Wagner was also treated and released.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Wagner stated he did not see the crew or their truck, which had its lights and strobes activated. The crew was also wearing reflective vests and bright yellow rain gear. Investigators noted the darkness and windy conditions at the time of the accident. Impairment is not suspected as a factor.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours during the investigation, which remains ongoing.
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