Lakeland, Florida – The Florida Highway Patrol is currently working a crash involving a fatality. According to reports, the accident occurred at 5:03 pm near MM 26, near the Hillsborough County line on I-4. The crash involved a red 2004 minivan which reportedly rear-ended a 2018 Chevy FDOT Road Ranger pick-up truck. According to FHP, the Road Ranger had cones deployed and was stopped on the inside shoulder behind a white, 2016 Lexus, which had a flat tire. The mini-van did not move over as required by Florida law, but for unknown reasons veered into the inside shoulder striking the Road Ranger truck, which propelled into the Lexus.
The male driver of the minivan, Joseph Schoenbauer, 72, of Apopka, died at the scene. A female passenger in the minivan, Winifred Schoenbauer, 66, is in critical condition at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. The driver of the Road Ranger vehicle suffered minor injuries & was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. The Lexus driver was uninjured.
Some news organizations had reported that a female had died during the crash. That information was inaccurate. As of the last briefing by the Florida Highway Patrol only Mr. Schoenbauer has been identified as a fatality victim.
We will update as more information is released.
