Deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, along with Polk County Fire Rescue, were dispatched at about 2:36 p.m., to the crash scene on U.S. 17-92 North near the intersection of Ernie Caldwell Boulevard.
Upon arrival of first responders, 56-year-old Leonardo Pereira of Orlando was found deceased. He was driving a silver 1999 Infiniti I30t.
The second driver, a 43-year-old Felicien Blot of Kissimmee was uninjured. He was driving a white Freightliner Cascadia semi with a refrigerated trailer. His passenger was also uninjured.
Based on evidence and interviews at the scene, Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Pereira was traveling east on Ernie Caldwell Boulevard while the Freightliner was traveling south on US 17-92 North.
Pereira attempted to turn left onto US 17-92 North. He failed to stop at the intersection and pulled directly into the path of the Freightliner. The front of the Freightliner struck the driver’s side of the Infiniti.
The roadway in the area of the crash was closed for approximately 4 hours during the investigation, which remains on-going.
