Fatal Crash Investigation
LAKELAND (April 1, 2020) - On April 1, 2020, at approximately 12:24 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving two vehicles near Holly Road and East Memorial Boulevard. According to reports, a 2002 Honda Accord was traveling eastbound in the inside lane of US 92, locally known as East Memorial Boulevard. A the same time, a 2017 Jeep Compass was traveling westbound in the outside lane of East Memorial Boulevard. For unknown reasons at this time, the Honda veered across the center left-turn lane and into the path of the Jeep Compass. The Jeep struck the front passenger side of the Honda.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The passenger of the Honda, later identified as Jose Sanchez, age 16, was declared deceased at the scene by medical personnel. The driver of the Honda, Jonathan Acosta, age 17, and the driver of the Jeep, Raymond Matt, age 42, were transported to Lakeland Regional Health.
The roadway was shut down for approximately 5.5 hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Tyler Anderson at 863.834.2553 or tyler.anderson@lakelandgov.net.