Father and bystanders desperately tried to save a child trapped in a burning car after a crash in Lakeland

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single-vehicle crash that occurred at the intersection of Lake Parker Drive East and Broadway Street in Lakeland, Florida. The crash occurred on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at approximately 5:00 PM and resulted in three injuries and one death.

The lone vehicle (a white Kia sedan) had three occupants, the driver, a 30-year-old from Winter Haven, and his two young children. It appears the car was traveling west on Broadway Street toward the intersection with Lake Parker Drive East. The car drove through the intersection into a grassy area and struck a tree. The car caught fire and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene.

A witness and the driver tried to free the children from the back seat of the car. One child was successfully rescued, but the other child tragically died in the fire. The driver and surviving child were taken to hospital to be treated for their injuries. The witness who helped at the scene was also taken to hospital to be treated for burns he suffered while helping to pull the occupants from the car.

PCSO Traffic Homicide Detectives respond to all fatalities. They’re investigating the crash. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.