A violent collision between two semi-trucks shut down U.S. 98 north at State Road 471 in Lakeland today, killing one person and triggering a hazardous-materials response that froze traffic along a key Polk County corridor.
Emergency crews closed the highway in both directions while hazmat teams checked for a possible chemical leak and worked around crumpled rigs and scattered debris. Drivers were pushed onto back roads, and officials warned the shutdown could drag on for hours.
Polk County deputies responded to reports of the crash, and Sheriff Grady Judd told 10 Tampa Bay that one person was killed and hazardous materials “may have spilled” onto the roadway. According to the station, the wreck happened on U.S. 98 near the junction with State Road 471, with traffic diverted while crews assessed how bad the situation was and how long cleanup might take. Authorities urged drivers to steer clear of the area until the scene is fully secured.
Emergency response and traffic
First responders remained on scene for hours, setting up a perimeter as hazmat teams worked to stabilize the site and clear wreckage from the travel lanes. Rescue units and county traffic officers funneled vehicles onto nearby rural routes, a move that quickly backed up traffic in and out of Lakeland…