A 68-year-old Winter Haven, FL man was killed and a 4-year-old child injured in a multi-vehicle collision Tuesday night near Auburndale, FL, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.
According to the Lakeland Ledger, Milton Edward Jacobs was westbound in the center lane of U.S. 92, in Auburndale, FL, on the overpass in Auburndale, FL around 7 p.m. when he crossed the median and drove into the eastbound lanes, his truck then struck the left side of a vehicle driven by Gary Smith, 41, of Auburndale, FL, the Florida Highway Patrol report stated.
The impact knocked Smith's car, which was traveling in the center lane, into the path of a car driven by Christopher Terall McKnight, 19, of Winter Haven, FL who was behind Smith in the outside lane. McKnight's vehicle hit the guardrail before he took an evasive turn and crossed the median, going into the westbound lanes where it struck a vehicle driven by Carolyn Parsons, 33, of Winter Haven, FL who was traveling westbound in the outside lane, the Florida Highway Patrol report stated.
Jacobs was pronounced dead at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL. Kirra Parsons, 4, who was in Carolynn Parsons' vehicle, was taken to Tampa General Hospital, in Tampa, FL where she is in stable condition. Carolynn Parsons was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, in Lakeland, FL and is in stable condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol report.
All other drivers received minor injuries.
Everyone involved in the accident was using a seat belt, the report said.
The accident remains under investigation.
According to the Florida Police Chiefs Association, during a crash, properly fastened safety belts distribute the forces of rapid deceleration over larger and stronger parts of the person's body, such as the chest, hips and shoulders. The safety belt stretches slightly to slow your body down and to increase its stopping distance.
The difference between the belted person's stopping distance and the unbelted person's stopping distance is significant. It's often the difference between life and death.
Rivas Law Group, LLC, is a personal injury law firm located in Winter Haven, FL. Attorney Tania L. Rivas represents injured victims in Polk County, FL. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, please call us immediately to schedule an appointment with Attorney Rivas. The consultation is free and you owe no fees or costs unless you win.
