Truck driver hit and killed by car while checking his jackknifed truck on US 17 near Bartow
A truck driver was killed Friday morning, August 12, 2022 after he was hit by a passing car while he was walking around his jackknifed truck.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and crews from Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 5:47 a.m. to the scene near 4151 US 17 South, between Bartow and Homeland.
40-year old Yusniel Gonzalez Lemus of Hialeah was found deceased next to the road.
PCSO Traffic Homicide detectives collected statements and evidence at the scene. Their preliminary investigation determined that Mr. Gonzalez Lemus’ yellow 2006 Freightliner truck was southbound on US 17 when, for unknown reasons, it jackknifed and came to a stop with the cab facing north in the median with the trailer across the inside southbound lane.
A short time later, a white 2011 Ford Edge, also driving southbound, was passing the stopped truck when Mr. Gonzalez Lemus stepped from behind the trailer and into the path of the Ford.
The driver of the Ford stayed at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
A portion of US 17 South was closed for about three hours while units were on scene.
