Bicyclist Dies After Colliding With Truck on Walk-in-the-Water Road

A collision between a work truck and a bicyclist claimed the life of a 90-year-old Lake Wales resident Tuesday afternoon

at the intersection of Walk-In-the-Water Road and Uncle Joe's Fish Camp Road, southeast of Lake Wales.

The crash occurred at about about 12:15 pm. First responders from Polk County Fire Rescue found the victim, 90-year old David Linne of Lake Wales, suffering from serious injuries. He was transported to a local hospital but passed away shortly after arriving.

Mark Byam, 34, of Lake Wales was the driver of a white 2015 Ford F350 flatbed work truck that was involved in the crash. He was not injured.

Polk Traffic Homicide Investigations unit was dispatched to the scene of the crash and gathered witness statements that indicated that Byam's truck was southbound on Walk-in-the-Water Road when Linne entered right-of-way into the path of the truck. The preliminary investigation indicated that he was apparently attempting to cross Walk-In-Water Road at an angle from Uncle Joe's Fish Camp Road to Twin Oaks Place, just across Walk-in-the-Water Road.

Witnesses told investigators that Byam had attempted to avoid Linne, but that the mirror of the truck struck the bicyclist, throwing him to the ground.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or who may have further knowledge of the matter is encouraged to contact the Polk Traffic Homicide Investigations unit. The investigation is ongoing, but at this time, no charges are anticipated, according to officials.