On Sunday, March 5, 2023, at approximately 5:38 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash in the 2800 block of US 98 North involving a bicyclist and two vehicles. Officers learned that just prior to the crash, a 2019 BMW SUV was traveling in the southbound lane of US 98 North. At the same time, a bicyclist was traveling northbound in the southbound bike lane. A 2005 Honda sedan, also traveling southbound directly behind the SUV, entered the right turn lane that led into a private business and struck the bicyclist. After hitting the bicyclist, the Honda swerved, striking the SUV, and then spun out, crossing the center median, and entered the northbound lanes of US 98 North, where it was struck by a 2015 Dodge truck that was traveling in the northbound lane. The Honda continued across 98 North, hitting the curb before coming to a final rest in a grassy field. All drivers came to a stop and remained at the scene.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene to provide life-saving measures. The bicyclist, a 64-year-old man from Lakeland, was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene. The driver of the Honda and the passenger of the truck were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The roadway was shut down while the scene was photographed for the follow-up investigation.
The driver of the Honda was identified as:
Daniel Eli Viana
Age: 36
Beverly Hills, FL
The driver of the BMW was identified as:
Cody Allen Dawson
Age: 25
Lakeland, FL
The driver of the Dodge was identified as:
Adam Richard Chandler
Age: 44
Zephyrhills, FL
The victim’s name is not being released at this time, as officers continue to attempt to locate and notify the next of kin. This remains an open and active investigation.
