***UPDATE FOR FATAL CRASH ON HWY 98 W NEAR FROSTPROOF***
Hwy 98 W at Western AVenue, Frostproof (3:05am) 2012 Dodge Caravan (eastbound on Hwy 98w) vs CSX Train (northbound).
The caravan was driven by 23-year-old Emily Moncrief of Avon Park. The passenger was 23-year-old Lyndsay Serey of Sebring. Both girls were pronounced dead at the scene. The engineer of the train was 42-year-old Jason Stines of Lakeland. He was not injured. Preliminary findings suggest that the Caravan struck the crossing bar before hitting the 27th car of the CSX train. The impact caused the Caravan to roll, and the train to derail. Both girls were wearing seatbelts. Impairment may have been a factor in the crash. The investigation is ongoing, with autopsies and blood toxicology pending. The roadway was completely reopened at around 11:30 a.m.
***UPDATE FOR FATAL CRASH ON HWY 98 W NEAR FROSTPROOF***
Hwy 98 W has been reopened in both directions. It had been closed since the fatal crash occurred at 3:05 this morning, near Western Avenue, Frostproof, which resulted in two deaths.
***UPDATE ON FATAL CRASH IN FROSTPROOF***
The closure of Hwy 98 West at Western Avenue (near Hwy 27) has been extended. It is now expected to remain closed until Noon.
At this time, that is the only new information we have, and the investigation continues.
Original PCSO Press Release
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a vehicle-vs-train collision near Frostproof, which resulted in two deaths. The crash occurred at Hwy 98 W near Western Avenue (very close to Hwy 27) at about 3:05 a.m. Friday morning.
Department of Transportation is on scene, assisting with the re-routing of traffic.
Hwy 98 is expected to be closed for possibly four more hours (until 10 a.m.) as the investigation and clean-up continues.
