Highway 60 Blocked for Five Hours By Fatal Crash West of Lake Wales

Highway 60 was blocked west of Lake Wales for about five hours Friday night after a vehicle crossed the median and was struck by an oncoming truck. A Lake Placid woman lost her life in the tragedy.

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's office

The Toyota Camry, visible at left and driving by a Lake Placid woman, crossed the median into the eastbound lanes and was struck on the driver's side by the pickup truck. The driver of the Toyota was "not properly restrained" and died at the scene, investigators said. Five occupants of the Dodge pickup were restrained and escaped without serious injuries.

According to investigators from the Polk County Sheriff's office, at about 8:19 p.m., 32-year old Nakeyma Williams of Lake Placid was driving a 2011 Toyota Camry westbound when she apparently lost control of her vehicle, which slid into the eastbound lanes where it was struck squarely in the drivers' side by a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck, driven by 51-year old Leo Cowder, III of Lake Wales.

The crash occurred very near the SR 60/CSX railroad crossing about four miles west of US 27 in Lake Wales.

Williams, who investigators said was "not properly restrained in her vehicle," died at the scene.

Cowder and all passengers in his vehicle, including 48-year old Stacy Cowder, 18-year old Gracie Cowder, and two children aged 4 and 3, were wearing restraints and escaped without serious injury. They were released at the scene by Polk Fire Rescue.

Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff's Office responded to investigate the crash, and so far have found "no roadway evidence that would indicate Ms. Williams attempted to stop before impact," according to preliminary reports. The investigation is ongoing.