The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash which occurred Tuesday evening, March 1, 2022, in the Wahneta neighborhood of unincorporated Winter Haven.
Deputies were dispatched at about 7:19 PM, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, in response to a report of a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle on Rifle Range Road near 12th Street. When they arrived, they found 49-year old Randy Lemay of Wahneta, deceased.
The gray 2018 Toyota Corolla which struck Lemay was still on scene, and deputies made contact with the driver, 19-year old Genesis Cosme-Sanchez of Kissimmee. Cosme-Sanchez was not injured.
Based on evidence and witness statements, Lemay attempted to cross Rifle Range Road about 75-yards north of 12th Street, going from the east to west.
Cosme-Sanchez’s Toyota was travelling south on Rifle Range Road when Lemay crossed in front of it, and he was hit.
PCSO Traffic Homicide investigators noted that the crash occurred after sunset, Lemay was wearing a dark colored clothing, and he was not using a crosswalk.
Rifle Range Road was closed for about two-and-a-half hours for the duration of the on-scene portion of the investigation.
No civil or criminal charges are anticipated, but a final determination is pending completion of the investigation, which is ongoing.
