Lake Wales Police Department Press Release
On Tuesday July, 3, 2018 at around 12:05 PM Lake Wales Police responded to a traffic crash that occurred on Thompson Nursery Road in between Conserveysion Way and Lake Ashton Boulevard. The crash involved a 2007 Kia SUV traveling East on Thompson Nursery Rd being driven by 69 year old Donna Lee Laughton of Lake Wales and a 2009 GMC 3500 pickup owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) traveling West on Thompson Nursery Road being driven by SFWMD employee Ronnie Crosby age 59 of Lakeland. SFWMD employee Cale Broom age 50 of Winter Haven was a passenger in the GMC. A third vehicle, a 2003 Toyota SUV being driven by Marisol Garcia-Delgado age 40 of Lake Wales was following the GMC traveling west.
For unknown reasons Laughton’s vehicle veered into the oncoming lane and onto the shoulder on the north side of the roadway then back onto the road. Crosby took evasive actions while slowing down to try and avoid a collision. Laughton swerved back onto the roadway and the two vehicles collided head on. Garcia-Delgado could not stop in time and collided with the rear of the trailer being towed by Crosby’s vehicle.
When Officers arrived they found Laughton unresponsive and they began life saving measures. Emergency personnel arrived and pronounced Laughton deceased. Responders also located a small dog in Laughton’s vehicle that was critically injured. The dog was transported to Lake Wales Veterinary Hospital where it died a short time later.
Both Crosby and Broom were transported to Winter Haven Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Laughton’s next of kin has been notified. Garcia-Delgado was not injured. A portion of Thompson Nursery Road was closed in both directions while the investigation was conducted. This case is still under investigation.
If you have any information regarding this crash please contact Officer Robertson at the Lake Wales Police Department at 863-678-4223.
