A crash involving two vehicles on U.S. 27 in Davenport Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2023 resulted in the death of one of the drivers.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at 2:28 p.m., to the crash scene at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Minute Maid Ramp Road #2.
Upon arrival of first responders, 54-year-old Patrick Corrao of Davenport was found unresponsive in his vehicle and transported to a local hospital where he later died. He was driving a gold 2005 Toyota Highlander.
The second driver, 29-year-old Cody Hurt of Winter Haven, was uninjured. He was driving a 2022 Peterbilt Box Truck.
Based on evidence and interviews at the scene, Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Mr. Hurt was traveling southbound in the outside (right) lane and approaching a traffic signal well below the speed limit. At the same time, Mr. Corrao was in the same lane behind the box truck also traveling below the speed limit.
Witnesses told detectives that Mr. Corrao’s vehicle drifted off the right side of the roadway, reentered the outside lane, and then drifted to the right again. He then failed to stop, and his Toyota struck the rear of the box truck.
There was very little damage to either vehicle. It is believed Mr. Corrao may have suffered a medical episode which possibly caused the crash. The investigation is on-going, but no criminal charges are anticipated.
