Fatal Go-Kart Crash in Bartow
Bartow, FL— A homemade go-kart was struck by a car on Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road (ABC Road) in Bartow, resulting in one fatality and critical injuries on Saturday evening, May 24, 2025. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the crash, reported at approximately 9:20 p.m.
Preliminary information indicates that a 33 year old local man was driving the go-kart westbound on ABC Road with a 38 year old male passenger. As the go-kart slowed to make a left turn into a private driveway, it was rear-ended by a Hyundai Elantra driven by a 21 year old Lakeland woman. The collision fully ejected the go-kart driver and partially ejected the passenger.
The 38-year-old passenger was fatally injured, while the go-kart driver was airlifted to a local hospital in critical condition. The Hyundai driver, who was uninjured, remained at the scene.The investigation is ongoing. Nothing further at this time.
