A Lake Alfred man was killed Friday, April 21, 2023, after his vehicle rear-ended a stopped semi-tractor’s flatbed trailer. The driver of the semi was not injured.
The victim was identified as 62-year old David Wayne Coleman.
Officers from the Lake Alfred Police Department were dispatched to the crash on US 17/92 at Lake Alfred Road at about 2:49 pm. Due to the severity of the crash, LAPD requested the Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit to handle the investigation.
Detectives have so far determined based on evidence and witness statements, that the semi-tractor was stopped in an eastbound lane on US 17/92 for a traffic light. Mr. Coleman was driving a gray 2012 Jeep SUV, also eastbound, when it collided with the truck’s trailer.
Information collected by the detectives indicate that Mr. Coleman may have suffered a medical episode just prior to the crash, but that won’t be determined until after an autopsy.
One lane of the eastbound side was shut down for about 2.5 hours.
The investigation is ongoing.
