The Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 98 and Colbert Road in Lakelandon Friday morning, April 22, 2022, that resulted in the death of 20-year-old Lisandra De La Caridad Hedman of Polk City.
According to the evidence and witnesses, at around 10:15 a.m., Ms. Hedman was driving a burgundy 2010 Nissan Altima eastbound on Colbert Road at the intersection with U.S. 98. At the same time, a white 2021 Jeep Wrangler, driven by 41-year-old Emily Rand Johnson of Bartow, was traveling southbound on U.S. 98 in the outside lane approaching Colbert Road and had the right-of-way. For unknown reasons, Ms. Hedman began to cross the southbound lanes of U.S. 98 and attempted to turn onto northbound U.S. 98. As the Altima crossed the southbound lanes, Ms. Hedman entered the path of Ms. Johnson, causing the Jeep to impact the driver’s side of the Altima. The two vehicles remained together and traveled south approximately 30 feet in the outside lane till they came to a stop near the west shoulder of the road.
Ms. Hedman died at the scene.
Ms. Johnson was transported to a local hospital where she was treated and released.
Two lanes of southbound U.S. 98 in the area of the crash were closed for approximately three and a half hours during the investigation, which is ongoing.
