LAKELAND, FL (May 18, 2023) – On May 18, 2023, at approximately 4:43 a.m., a City of Lakeland street sweeper was working and traveling northbound on North Tennessee Avenue. The sweeper turned right onto East Oak Street and after negotiating the turn, the driver felt an impact. After checking his surroundings and seeing nothing, the driver proceeded to move forward in an eastbound direction. It was at that time the driver observed a pedestrian lying on the roadway behind the vehicle. The driver immediately exited the cab of the sweeper and called 911.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on scene, and it was determined that the pedestrian was deceased. The driver of the sweeper did not suffer any injuries sustained in the crash.
At this time, traffic homicide detectives are unsure what the pedestrian was doing in the roadway at the time of the crash. Detectives are still attempting to locate the deceased’s next of kin.
The scene was photographed for the continuing investigation.
The driver of the street sweeper was identified as:
Terry Pelham
Age: 57
City of Lakeland Employee – 17 Years
The pedestrian was identified as:
Male
Age 70
(name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin)
