The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit investigated another fatal traffic crash in unincorporated Winter Haven over the weekend, involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck. The motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries.
The crash occurred Saturday night, November 16, 2024, around 10:10 p.m. in the intersection of Cypress Gardens Blvd. SE and Cypress Gardens Road. A 46-year-old Babson Park man was heading east on Cypress Gardens Blvd. on a 2004 Harley-Davidson approaching the intersection, and so far during the investigation it is confirmed that he had a solid red light. Meanwhile a 2015 Ford F-150 truck being driven by a 40-year-old Winter Haven woman was stopped at her light facing Cypress Gardens Road north. When her light turned green, she proceeded out onto Cypress Gardens Blvd to turn west (left) onto that road. The two vehicles collided in the intersection, and the motorcyclist was ejected. He was not wearing a helmet. He was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his significant injuries shortly thereafter. The woman driving the truck was not injured. Both motorists were the only occupants of their vehicles. No other vehicles were involved.
There was no evidence that the motorcycle attempted to brake or avoid the collision. The investigation is ongoing, and the intersection was shut down completely for approximately four hours.
