3 Crashes, 3 Deaths, 1 Day: Polk Sheriff

LAKELAND, FL — Three crashes, three deaths occurred on Polk County roads in less than four hours Wednesday, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

"All three of these crashes remain under investigation, but it really emphasizes how important it is to pay complete attention to the road and everything on it, whether you're in a car, on a bike, or walking," Judd said. "This morning has been very tragic for the victims, their loved ones, the people who were directly involved and those who witnessed these crashes."

The first crash occurred in north Lakeland and claimed the life of a pedestrian. The second crash involved a head-on collision in Poinciana while the third crash occurred in Frostproof when a bicyclist was killed, the sheriff's office said.

The first crash happened along U.S. Highway 98 North at Fox Lake Drive in Lakeland around 5:52 a.m. Wednesday when 75-year-old Julio Ramos-Bueno of Lakeland was killed as he attempted to cross Highway 98 North. The sheriff's office said the area was poorly lit.

Ramos-Bueno was initially struck by a white 2015 Ford Fusion driven by 41-year-old Alfonso Bustos-Ugalde of Eagle Lake, according to the sheriff's office.

"Mr. Ramos-Bueno was immediately struck by a second northbound car, a white 2015 Chevy Cruze which was driven by 29-year-old Orlando Garcia-Cruz of Winter Haven," the sheriff's office explained, noting that the driver had an expired license from 2005.

"Bustos-Ugalde was arrested at the scene for driving with an expired license," the sheriff's office said, adding to no additional criminal charges or civil citations were expected.

The second crash occurred around 9:09 a.m. on Marigold Avenue in Poinciana. Fifty-four-year-old Madelyn Santiago of Poinciana was killed in that crash.

"According to the preliminary investigation, a blue 2000 Toyota Camry, driven by 64-year-old David Hyre of Poinciana, was travelling south on Marigold Avenue in the area of Fairway Road," the sheriff's office said. "The Toyota crossed the center line and struck the front left of a northbound red 2003 Mazda Protg, driven by Ms. Santiago."

Hyre suffered only minor injuries. No criminal charges were expected.

The third fatality happened around 9:31 a.m. along U.S. Highway 27 near George Street in Frostproof.

That's where 59-year-old Michael Kempe of Frostproof was killed when he was struck by a northbound semi-truck, the sheriff's office explained.

"Mr. Kempe was either riding or walking alongside a bicycle as he was crossing the roadway," the sheriff's office said. "The truck, which is owned by the Colorado Box Beef Company in Lakeland, was driven by 45-year-old Reginald Laster of Winter Haven."

The sheriff's office said Laster attempted to stop and swerved to avoid hitting Kempe. The driver was not injured and did not show any signs of impairment, according to the agency.