UPDATE 7/29/25 11:25am: Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Carrie Horstman offered an update to an early morning crash on the Hwy. 60 crash near Story Rd.:
“The crash occurred around 5:00 a.m. (Tues, July 29th) in the eastbound lanes of SR 60 E near Story Road. A 2011 black Ford Escape crossed over and was heading west in the eastbound lane when it struck a silver 2012 Jeep Wrangler that was heading east.
“The driver of the Jeep, a 25-year-old Haines City man, swerved to avoid a collision but was unable to avoid being hit by the Ford. Both vehicles sustained severe damage to the left front, and the driver of the Ford, a 58-year-old Lake Wales man, suffered significant injuries. He was not wearing a seat belt. He was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center in critical condition. The driver of the Jeep was not injured. SR 60 was closed for approximately four hours during the early part of the investigation, which is ongoing.”…