LAKELAND, FL (September 22, 2019) – On September 21, 2019, at approximately 8:39 p.m., Lakeland Police officers responded to a serious traffic crash at 5000 US Highway 98 North. Prior to the crash, a blue Suzuki GSX-R motorcycle was traveling southbound on US 98 N., in the inside lane, and a red Ford Escape was traveling north on US 98 N., in the left turn lane. As the motorcycle approached the 5000 block of US 98 N., it began accelerating at a high rate of speed, lifting the front wheel off the roadway and merging into the center lane, according to witnesses. At the same time, the driver of the Ford began making a u-turn and traveled into the outside southbound lane. As the Suzuki’s front wheel landed on the roadway, the operator, 31-year-old Valentine Dasent, lost control and the motorcycle struck the left rear of the Ford. Dasent was ejected, and the Suzuki was disabled on impact, sliding to final rest in the center lane. The driver of the Ford, 74-year-old Linda Halifax, slowed to a controlled stop just off the west side of the roadway.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on scene and began to provide life-saving measures. Valentine Dasent was pronounced deceased on scene at approximately 8:50 p.m.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately 3 1/2 hours while the scene was photographed, measured, and marked for any follow-up investigation. This remains an open and active investigation.
The operator of the Suzuki was identified as:
Valentine Dasent
DOB: 2/26/1988
Lakeland, Florida
The operator of the Ford was identified as:
Linda Diane Halifax
DOB: 2/8/1945
Lakeland, FL
The passengers of the Ford were identified as:
Brian Donald Halifax
DOB: 2/7/1967
Lakeland, FL
Richard Eugene Halifax
DOB: 7/6/1939
Lakeland, FL
