The Traffic Homicide Unit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate a fatal crash that occurred Tuesday morning, November 22, 2022, which shut down part of a busy Lakeland highway for about three hours.
The crash was reported to the Emergency Communication Center at about 5:58 am. PCSO deputies and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene on US 98 North, near the intersection of Mann Road.
Upon their arrival, a pedestrian, 27-year old Marcus Sullivan of Lakeland, was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the silver 2011 Honda CRV that hit Mr. Sullivan was uninjured.
Detectives reported that it was dark and cloudy at the time of the crash, with no street lighting, and only a moderate amount of light from local businesses. Mr. Sullivan was wearing a dark shirt and light-colored pants.
Evidence and witness statements from the scene indicate that Mr. Sullivan was pushing a grocery cart in the northbound lane of US 98, near the median. The Honda was in the same lane and approached Mr. Sullivan from behind.
At this time, it does not seem likely that the driver will be cited or charged.
