Winter Haven Woman, 83, Killed in Collision with Polk County Ambulance

Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release:

Winter Haven woman killed in crash with PCFR ambulance

A woman was killed Tuesday morning, October 7, 2025, after her vehicle crossed in front of a Polk County Fire Rescue ambulance that was traveling in emergency mode.

The ambulance was occupied by two PCFR members; there were no other passengers. Both members were taken to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched at about 10:03 am, to Spirit Lake Road at Oak Tree Boulevard in Winter Haven, in front of the Winter Haven Oaks Retirement Community.

First responders arrived at the scene and pronounced 83-year old Elaine Dunn of Winter Haven, deceased.

The PCSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and assumed control of the investigation.

Ms. Dunn was driving a 1999 red Chevy Monte Carlo. She was wearing her seatbelt.

The ambulance was driven by 22-year old Kaley Hebb, and the passenger was Robin Fletcher. Both were wearing their seatbelts.

Based on preliminary information, the ambulance was southbound on Spirit Lake Road with its lights and sirens engaged.

Ms. Dunn’s Monte Carlo was exiting her community and attempted a left turn (north) onto Spirit Lake Road. While doing this, her vehicle entered into the path of the oncoming ambulance, and the two vehicles collided.

The crash investigation is ongoing.

Source: PCSO Public Information Officer

Polk County Fire Rescue Press Release:

Polk County Fire Rescue Unit Involved in Fatal Motor Vehicle Crash

Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 7, 2025) — While responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens, a Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) ambulance was involved in a three-vehicle crash, which resulted in one fatality.

The crash occurred at about 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7, on Spirit Lake Road in Winter Haven. When additional fire rescue crews arrived on scene, they noted the driver of the second vehicle was deceased. The driver of the third vehicle was not injured. The two PCFR crew members were transported to a local hospital where they were treated and released.

PCFR’s Special Operations crew assisted the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with the extraction.

Spirit Lake Road was closed for several hours after the crash. It has since reopened.

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Editor’s Note: This is an ongoing situation. Eye in the Sky News will provide further updates as additional details are received.