Fatal Crash Investigation
LAKELAND, FL (July 25, 2022) - On Monday, July 25, 2022, at approximately 12:32 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the intersection of Swindell Road and County Line Road in Lakeland. Prior to the crash, the driver of a 2013 Toyota Rav4 was traveling northbound on County Line Road at a high rate of speed. The driver failed to stop at the stop sign, traveled across Swindell Road onto the grass shoulder, and hit a tree.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The operator of the Toyota, 25-year-old Matthew Chiarenza of Brandon, was pronounced deceased at the scene by on-scene medical personnel.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at tyler.anderson@lakelandgov.net.