POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A tragic two-vehicle collision in Eagle Lake has claimed the life of a 33-year-old Winter Haven woman and left her 2-year-old daughter in critical condition.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash at the intersection of State Road 540 (Winter Lake Road) and Cooley Road on Monday afternoon. The accident involved a silver 2013 Hyundai Elantra and a white 2021 International utility truck.
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According to the preliminary investigation, the Hyundai, driven by the deceased woman, was traveling south on Cooley Road, which has a stop sign at the intersection with SR 540. The utility truck was heading eastbound on SR 540.
For reasons yet to be determined, the Hyundai entered the intersection and into the path of the oncoming truck. The impact of the collision resulted in fatal injuries to the driver of the Hyundai.
The woman’s 2-year-old daughter, who was properly secured in a child safety seat in the back of the Hyundai, sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition. The driver of the utility truck was uninjured.
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The eastbound lanes of SR 540 were closed for approximately three hours while deputies investigated the scene. The investigation is ongoing to determine the exact cause of the crash.
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