On Sunday, May 21, 2023, at approximately 3:35 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash involving a single vehicle near the area of County Line Road and Swindell Road. Just before the crash, a 2016 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on County Line Road, approaching the intersection of Swindell Road. At some point, the vehicle hit the curb, struck a stop sign, and continued across Swindell Road before leaving the roadway and striking a tree.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene to begin life-saving measures. The driver, Byron Ihle, age 84, from Ocala, was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the scene.
This remains an open investigation. Anyone with additional information regarding the crash should contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at [email protected].
