UPDATE to traffic crash earlier this evening on US 98 North @ Rockridge Road in Lakeland.
The drivers involved were:
59-year-old Charles Kimbrough, Jr. of Creekwood Run in Lakeland, driving the Nissan, who was deceased on-scene. He had just exited the Circle K store at that intersection and was heading east on Rockridge, going home, which was a short distance away. He had a green light.
41-year-old Charles Ervin of Valdosta, GA, driving the semi, heading northbound on US 98. He failed to stop at the red light.
The roadway in that area was shut down for approximately 4 hours. The investigation is ongoing.
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Polk County Sheriffs Office Press Release
The PCSO Traffic Unit is investigating a two-vehicle crash at US 98 North and Rockridge Road in Lakeland that occurred around 2:45 pm today. Preliminary info is as follows:
A semi-truck belonging to Saddle Creek Corp was heading northbound on US 98 when it struck a silver Nissan Altima that was heading eastbound on Rockridge Road that had just entered the intersection. The Nissan had a green light and the right-of-way. The adult male driver of the Nissan was declared deceased on-scene.
The semi proceeded into the nearby gas station parking lot after impact and flipped onto its side. That driver is not injured. A photo from the scene is attached and available in the link below.
Traffic in both directions of 98 in that area is heavily impacted and deputies are re-routing traffic. Please advise motorists to avoid the area if possible.
