Polk County Sheriff’s Office Press Release
Around 3:10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, the PCSO ECC received a call in reference to a crash involving a 2006 green Hyundai Santa Fe and a blue Freightliner semi tractor-trailer on US Hwy 98 North, near Keen Road.
Preliminary information indicates that the driver of the Hyundai, 44-year-old Jason Faust of Zephyrhills, was seen by witnesses driving southbound and swerving just prior to crossing over the center line where he was struck head-on by the semi that was traveling northbound. He was declared deceased on-scene and he was the sole occupant of his vehicle.
The semi driver, 66-year-old Victor Arriaga, was not injured.
The roadway is still shut down in that area, between Keen Road and Rockridge Road, due to the semi needing to be towed, and a diesel spill. We will advise via Facebook and Twitter when the road is reopened.
