1 killed, 9 hurt in pair of crashes in Polk County: PCSO

LAKELAND, Fla. - One person was killed, and nine others were injured after two separate crashes happened just 15 minutes apart on Sunday night, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The first crash happened shortly before 8:30 p.m. on Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road near U.S. 27 south of Lake Wales.

Four vehicles were involved in a crash on Alturas Babson Park Cutoff Road. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

Officials said four vehicles were involved in the crash, and nine out of the ten people involved were injured. Two people were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries and a 13-year-old girl was hospitalized with apparent non-life threatening injuries, according to authorities.

PCSO detectives believe the chain of events started when a 2010 Dodge Ram crossed over the center line and collided with a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup, and then a 2013 Ford Explorer. After the crash, investigators said some of the occupants got out of their vehicles.

READ: 1 killed, 1 seriously injured after crash on I-4 in Lakeland: FHP

A 2017 Chevy Silverado traveled onto the scene and collided with the Ford Explorer, causing the Explorer to rotate and hit three victims, according to deputies.

Nine out of the ten people involved in the crash on Sunday night were injured, according to officials. Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

PCSO said the Chevy Silverado then hit two other victims and dragged them both for a short distance.

The road was closed for about six hours.

Deputies responded to a second crash 15 minutes later, just north of Lakeland on Rockridge Road near Country Place Road.

Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff’s Office

According to investigators, 22-year-old Jerome Cooke of Lakeland was driving a 1992 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck east on Rockridge Road just after 8:30 p.m. The sheriff's office said the truck left the roadway and hit a wooden power pole.

When first responders arrived, they discovered that Cooke had passed away inside the truck.

Rockridge Road was closed for about four-and-a-half hours.

Both crashes remain under investigation.

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