A Lakeland man walking along S.R. 60 in unincorporated Polk County was fatally struck by a vehicle Wednesday morning, January 25, 2023.
Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at around 4:00 a.m. to the crash scene on S.R. 60 West near Century Boulevard in Bartow.
Based on statements and evidence at the scene, it was determined that 52-year-old Michael Bullis was walking east on S.R. 60 in the inside lane and on the roadway side of the fog line. At the same time a gray 2016 Jeep Compass was also traveling east in the inside lane. When the driver of the Jeep saw the pedestrian in the roadway, it was too late to avoid the crash. The front of the Jeep struck Mr. Bullis, and he died at the scene.
The driver of the Jeep was uninjured. He remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation.
It was dark in the area of the crash, and the lighting was described as minimal. Excessive speed, impairment, and distracted driving are not believed to be factors in the crash.
A portion of the roadway was closed for about two hours during the investigation, which remains ongoing.
