LAKELAND, FL — Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – A Winter Park man was killed, in a crash involving two semi-tractors approximately ten miles north of Lakeland.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched at 10:50 a.m. to the scene at US 98 North and State Road 471. First responders found 44-year-old Gabriel Lorenzo Beauford deceased inside the cab of a 2023 Mack truck with trailer.
The driver of the second vehicle, a 34-year-old man from Ocala operating a 2008 Volvo semi-tractor with trailer, was uninjured.
According to the PCSO, Beauford’s truck was traveling south on US 98, following the Volvo truck, which was hauling a load of tree timber. The Mack truck entered the left turn lane to proceed east onto State Road 471.
Beauford’s vehicle struck the load of timber protruding from the rear of the Volvo truck’s trailer after he apparently did not notice the truck ahead slowing down. Large pieces of timber pierced the cab of Beauford’s truck and its trailer, causing a spill of hazardous material at the scene.
The timber-hauling truck was in compliance with all safety measures regarding its cargo.
Polk County Fire Rescue, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Transportation, and Polk County Road Maintenance assisted with cleanup.
The roadway was closed for approximately seven hours. The investigation is ongoing, but no criminal or civil charges are anticipated. Nothing further at this time.
SOURCE: POLK COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
