At around 5:30 p.m., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a two-vehicle crash involving a motorcycle. The crash occurred on Main Ave. at the intersection of Dawn Heights Dr. in unincorporated Lakeland. The two vehicles involved were a green 2021 Kawasaki Sport motorcycle being driven by 46-year-old Lani Kyle Youngblood of Lakeland, and a red 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage being driven by 63-year-old William David Anderson of Lakeland.
According to witness statements and evidence at the scene, Mr. Youngblood was traveling westbound on Maine Ave at a high rate of speed and illegally passing vehicles in the opposite lane. This roadway has a double yellow center line to indicate a no passing zone.
Mr. Anderson was traveling eastbound on Main Ave. and approaching Dawn Heights Dr. At the same time, Mr. Youngblood was illegally passing vehicles in the eastbound lane on Main Ave. and quickly attempted to re-enter the westbound lane when he struck the front of the Mitsubishi. Mr. Youngblood was ejected from the motorcycle and landed in a water-filled ditch on the north shoulder of the roadway.
Mr. Youngblood died at the scene. Mr. Anderson was taken to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and then released.
The roadway was closed for approximately one and a half hours during the investigation, which is ongoing. I do not have a photo from the scene.
