POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A head-on collision near Lake Wales Tuesday evening has left one man dead and two others with minor injuries. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the crash, which occurred around 6:38 PM Tuesday on State Road 60 at Story Road, east of Lake Wales.
According to investigators, 74-year-old Duane Matthew Kolaski of Lake Wales was driving a black 2017 BMW X7 SUV eastbound on State Road 60 when he crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes.
READ: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Searching For Owners Of Lost Pets After Hurricane Milton
His vehicle collided head-on with a black 2021 Dodge 3500 pickup truck driven by 45-year-old Maksim Zakharov of Orlando. Nikita Zakharov, 24, was a passenger in the pickup.
Kolaski was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The Zakharovs were also taken to the hospital but were treated for minor injuries and released.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is currently investigating the cause of the crash. While it has been confirmed that the occupants of the pickup truck were wearing seatbelts, it remains unclear whether Kolaski was wearing his at the time of the accident.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Android Users: Download our free app to stay up-to-date on the latest news.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.