Serious Accidents Shut Down Polk County Roadways

POLK COUNTY, FL -- The Polk County Sheriff's Traffic Unit responded to two serious crashes Friday, Aug. 31, that shut down roads throughout the morning.

Deputies responded to State Road 60 (Main Street) and County Road 555 in Bartow around 6:40 a.m. Friday, Aug. 31, for a two-vehicle crash involving a car and a truck.

One victim was transported with serious injuries.

Deputies also responded to the 700 block of North Combee Road in Lakeland around 8:40 a.m for a semi versus bicyclist crash. According to deputies, 56-year-old Richard Meeks of Strawberry Lane in Lakeland was riding his bicycle on Magnolia Street and was unable to stop as he approached the intersection of Combee Road and Magnolia. Meeks was seen attempting to stop the bike with his feet. He slid into the side of a Freightliner semi-truck pulling a flatbed trailer, driven by 60-year-old Kent Dean of Lakeland, that was traveling south on Combee Road.

Meeks was dragged under the rear wheels of the flatbed and was declared dead at the scene.

An inspection of the bike after the crash showed the front and rear brakes had been removed.

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