11:40 a.m. UPDATE
New information has emerged regarding this morning’s accident involving a truck and child pedestrian.
Meghan Petty, PCSO PIO said the patrol deputies that responded believe the child was in the roadway at the time of the crash and it is now being reclassified from a hit-and-run to a traffic crash with injury.
The driver of the truck was a woman and she did stop to ask if the child was ok. The woman then left the scene of the crash because reportedly the child stated that he/she was ok. We are leaving out the age and gender for privacy.
The victim possibly has a fractured shoulder, but it is not confirmed.
The BOLO for the truck involved has been rescinded.
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10:00 a.m. UPDATE – Meghan Petty, Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO has confirmed that the child hit this morning by a truck in Lakeland is expected to be ok, though has a slightly hurt arm. The child has since been released from the hospital.
PCSO deputies are asking for the public’s help in locating the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. (THIS HAS BEEN RESCINDED DUE TO NEW DETAILS). It was dark at the time of the accident (around 6:30 a.m.) so the make and model of the vehicle is unknown, but witnesses reported that it was a white pickup truck with ladders on top.
If you see a vehicle that might match the description, please call the PCSO non-emergency number at 863-298-6200.
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Initial report:
Earlier this morning around 6:30 a.m. (September 12, 2024) a 911 call came in for a vehicle vs pedestrian accident on Ranchland Acres Road in Lakeland.
Polk County Fire Rescue’s Public Information Officer (PIO) Nathaniel Gale confirmed one individual was transported.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies also arrived on scene to investigate. According to Meghan Petty, Polk County Sheriff’s Office PIO, witnesses saw a white pickup truck with ladders on top strike the child and allegedly flee. PCSO deputies then began actively searching for the vehicle.
Petty says that at this time, PCSO is unable to release the age and gender of the child.
This is a developing story and we will update as new details come in.
This is at least the third child pedestrian or child cyclist vs vehicle accident in Polk County this week.
Here are the other two reported incidents:
Child Riding Bicycle Home From School Airlifted After Being Struck by Vehicle in Winter Haven – https://www.winterhavendaily.com/index.php/2024/09/11/child-riding-bicycle-home-from-school-airlifted-after-being-struck-by-vehicle-in-winter-haven/
Teen Cyclist Struck by Vehicle in Winter Haven – https://www.winterhavendaily.com/index.php/2024/09/10/17-year-old-cyclist-struck-by-vehicle-in-winter-haven/
