Fatal Crash Investigation
On Wednesday, September 21, 2022, at approximately 8:39 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the 2900 block of Swindell Road. Just prior to the crash, a Lakeland Wrecker vehicle was backing from a parking lot into the property at 2915 Swindell Road. The wrecker had its amber strobe lights and audible backing tone activated. At the same time, a maroon in color 2002 Chevrolet Silverado truck was traveling eastbound on Swindell Road. While the wrecker was in the roadway, the Chevrolet collided into the passenger rear side of the wrecker.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The operator of the Silverado truck, 72-year-old Glen Gilbreath of Lakeland, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he succumbed to his injuries a short time later. Gilbreath was not wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver of the wrecker, 48-year-old Shane Wiseman of Lakeland, suffered minor injuries that did not require medical transport.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately three 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.
**UPDATE TO ORIGINAL RELEASE ABOVE:
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. Lakeland Fire was cancelled due to PCFR arriving on scene first.