3 Teens Killed In 3-Car Crash In Lakeland: Police

LAKELAND, FL — Three teenagers died in a crash involving multiple cars in Lakeland on Wednesday night, according to police.

Lakeland police said the crash happened shortly before 10:30 p.m. in the 5100 block of U.S. Highway 98 North. According to police, a Nissan Versa driven by a 16-year-old Lakeland girl was traveling north on Highway 98 when it hit a truck turning into a shopping plaza.

Following the crash, both vehicles slid toward the plaza entrance, causing the truck to hit a Toyota Corolla attempting to exit the plaza, police said.

According to police, the Nissan driver had to be extricated from the car. She was taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, authorities said.

Two passengers in the Nissan — a 16-year-old boy and a 19-year-old man, both from Lakeland — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The truck and Toyota drivers suffered minor injuries but did not require hospitalization, police said.

After further investigation, authorities said speed likely contributed to the crash.

The investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Traffic Crash Investigator Officer Tyler Anderson at tyler.anderson@lakelandgov.net.