WINTER HAVEN, FL – March 11, 2026 – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed a tragic fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a 8-year-old and has left an 10-year-old in critical condition.
Deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 8:25 p.m. to Faith Baptist Church at 2140 Crystal Beach Road in Winter Haven, just off Winter Lake Road (CR 540). The children, who are not siblings, were there for a church function.
According to Traffic Homicide detectives’ preliminary investigation, the two children were on the west side of Crystal Beach Road about to cross the street. After a truck passed, the children began to make their way across the street toward the church, but they were both hit by a northbound vehicle. That vehicle continued to the intersection with Winter Lake Road and turned in an unknown direction. Witnesses did not get a good description of the vehicle.
An 8-year-old child died from his injuries, while the other child, who is 10 years old, has been hospitalized with a broken leg, broken arm, and a skull fracture and is in critical condition.
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are trying to find the driver responsible for hitting the two young children outside of their church on Wednesday night, March 11, 2026.
“Our detectives and crime analysts have been working all night using every available resource to identify the vehicle, and ultimately the driver who chose to flee, rather than help those two children. We are praying for the families and friends of the children, and for the child who is in hospital bed fighting for his life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
Anyone who has any information about this hit-and-run is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200. If you have information and want to remain anonymous, you can reach out to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 888-400-TIPS.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
EDITOR’S NOTE: Our team offers its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.
