WINTER HAVEN, FL— A 77-year-old Winter Haven woman died following a two-vehicle crash Tuesday morning on Thornhill Road west of Winter Haven.
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the crash scene at approximately 8:07 a.m. on June 2, 2026, on Thornhill Road about a quarter-mile south of Winter Lake Road.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the victim was a passenger in a blue 2026 Kia Sportage driven by her 66-year-old husband. Detectives determined the Kia was traveling northbound and was either stopped or slowing behind traffic waiting at a traffic signal when it suddenly entered the southbound lane.
The driver told investigators that his foot slipped from the brake pedal onto the accelerator, causing the vehicle to lunge forward into oncoming traffic.
A black 2009 Chevrolet pickup truck driven by a 50-year-old Winter Haven woman was traveling southbound at the time. Both drivers reportedly attempted to avoid the collision by steering west, but the vehicles collided.
All three occupants involved in the crash were transported to local hospitals. The 77-year-old passenger later died from her injuries. The two drivers suffered minor injuries. The Sheriff’s Office believe all occupants were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.
Thornhill Road remained closed for approximately three hours while deputies conducted their investigation. The crash remains under investigation.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
