The PCSO Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash that resulted in the death of one of the drivers. The crash occurred just after 9:00 a.m. this morning (March 6, 2025) on CR 542 (AKA K-Ville Ave) at Jimmy Lee Road in Auburndale.
A white 2021 Kia Sportage stopped at the stop sign on Jimmy Lee Rd and then proceeded out onto CR 542, turning left to go west on that road. The driver of the Kia, a 61-year-old Winter Haven woman, oversteered and continued turning her car until it entered the eastbound lane of CR 542 and into the path of a 2020 red Jeep that was traveling east. The vehicles collided, and the Kia came to a stop on the south shoulder, while the Jeep rotated and came to a stop in the eastbound lane facing southwest.
Both drivers were wearing seat belts, however, the woman was unresponsive at the scene and CPR was performed. She was transported via a trauma alert to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Her passenger, a 36-year-old Auburndale man, was taken to the hospital with injuries, from which he should recover.
The 27-year-old male driver of the Jeep, who is from Auburndale, had minor injuries and was treated at the scene by Polk County Fire Rescue.
