LAKELAND, Fla. – Lakeland Police are investigating a homicide after a traffic crash revealed a prior shooting that left one man dead.
On Friday, August 18, 2023, at approximately 2:30 a.m., a traffic crash occurred just outside the City limits of Lakeland, near the intersection of West Memorial Boulevard and Chestnut Road, involving a white Kia and a black Ford truck.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded and began investigating. Just before the crash, the driver of the truck was traveling west of West Memorial Boulevard when the Kia struck his vehicle.
Deputies were able to interview the driver of the truck, who remained at the scene and did not sustain any injuries. The Kia vehicle was found abandoned a short distance away in the center median with multiple bullet holes.
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Detectives learned that the 46-year-old male driver of the Kia, who sustained gunshot wounds, had been transported by a personal vehicle to Lakeland Regional Health prior to law enforcement arriving at the scene.
Despite the best efforts of emergency medical professionals, he was pronounced deceased shortly after.
PCSO began to investigate and learned the location where the shooting occurred was located within the city limits of Lakeland in the 2900 block of West Memorial Boulevard.
The Lakeland Police Department was notified, and detectives responded to assume the investigation. Detectives are actively working to gather all evidence and interview all witnesses.
Investigators are asking anyone who may have information to contact Detective Troy Smith at troy.smith@lakelandgov.net.
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Persons who wish to remain anonymous can contact Heartland Crime Stoppers:
* Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
* From a cell phone, dial **TIPS
* Visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
* Or download the free “P3tips” app on a smartphone or tablet.
Tipsters will always remain anonymous when they send a tip through Crime Stoppers, and they are eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest.
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