Lake Wales Man Killed in SR 60 Crash, Third Local Traffic Fatality in a Single Week.

A foggy morning is likely to have contributed to the third traffic fatality in a single week in the Lake Wales area after a crash at SR 60 and Boy Scout Road east of the city. Traffic was blocked in four directions following the early Thursday smash-up.

According to Polk County Sheriff's Office Traffic Homicide Unit investigators, a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driven by a 61-year-old Lake Wales resident was travelling southbound on Boy Scout Camp Road. At the intersection if pulled out onto SR 60 westbound in front of a Jeep Cherokee and the two vehicles collided, skidding across the median and landing in the eastbound lanes.

Courtesy Polk County Sheriff's office

The Thursday morning crash happened at the intersection of Boy Scout Road and SR 60 east of Lake Wales, closing both those roadways and the adjacent Walk-in-Water Road for about five hours. Traffic was forced into a lengthy detour.

"The driver of the Jeep stated that when the truck pulled out in front of her, due to the weather conditions, she did not see it in time to brake or maneuver her vehicle to avoid a crash," the Sheriff's office investigators said in a statement.

First responders discovered the driver of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck deceased at the scene. The female driver of the Jeep Cherokee received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Polk County Fire Rescue, according to authorities. There were no other passengers in either vehicle.

is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred at approximately 7:30 AM on Thursday, December 19, 2024 on State Road 60 and Boy Scout Camp Road in Lake Wales. Upon the arrival of first responders, they discovered the driver of a Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, a 61-year-old male from Lake Wales, deceased. The driver of the second vehicle, a Jeep Cherokee, received non-life threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Polk County Fire Rescue. Both were the only occupants of their vehicles.

Deputies closed both westbound and eastbound lanes of SR 60, the northbound lanes on Walk in Water Road, and the southbound lanes on Boy Scout Camp Road, diverting all traffic around the crash while PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives investigated the crash. These roads remained closed for approximately five hours.

PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives believe that the foggy morning weather was one of the contributors to the crash, but the investigation is ongoing. Motorists are reminded to use low-beam headlights at dusk, dawn, and in foggy or rainy conditions to assure that your vehicle is visible to others.