Local Man Killed in SR 60 Crash

A two-vehicle crash on SR 60 East took the life of a Lake Wales man early Tuesday evening.

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's office

A head-on collision on SR 60 EAst on Lake Wales took the life of a local man Tuesday evening after a vehicle crossed the median into oncoming traffic.

Duane Matthew Kolaski, 74, of Lake Wales was driving a black 2017 BMW X7 SUV eastbound near Story Road when, for unknown reasons, his vehicle "drifted" across the median, according to Polk County Sheriff's office investigators.

Kolaski's vehicle then entered the westbound lanes into the path of a black 2021 Dodge 3500 pickup truck. The truck was driven by 45-year old Maksim Zakharov of Orlando. He was carrying a passenger, 24-year old Nikita Zakharov.

Lake Wales Police, and Polk County Fire Rescue, and Polk County Sheriff's deputies responded to the crash at about 6:38 pm, according the incident report,

All three occupants of the two vehicles were transported from the scene to local hospitals, where Kolaski died. The Zakharovs were treated and released.

It was determined that the Zakharovs were wearing their seatbelts but remains undetermined if Kolaski was restrained. The crash remains under investigation by the PCSO's Traffic Homicide Unit.