A tragic single-vehicle crash in Mulberry, Florida, claimed the life of a 23-year-old Lakeland man on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026.
At approximately 6:19 p.m., the Polk County Emergency Communications Center dispatched deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from Polk County Fire Rescue to the intersection of North Church Avenue (State Road 37) and NE 5th Street following reports of a crash.
Upon arrival, first responders located the sole occupant of the vehicle—a 23-year-old man from Lakeland—lying in the corner of the intersection with severe injuries. He was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
The victim has been identified as Jeremiah David MacDonald of Lakeland.
According to the preliminary investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, MacDonald was driving a white 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee northbound on North Church Avenue when the vehicle struck a curb. This caused the Jeep to rotate and flip multiple times. MacDonald was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.
The roadway at the scene was closed for nearly three hours while emergency personnel worked and investigators processed the incident.
The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
