At 1:55 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2023, the PCSO ECC received a 911 call regarding a head-on collision between a gold 2009 Toyota Camry and a white semi-truck hauling a trailer on Homeland Garfield Road (AKA CR 640) just west of 80 Foot Road in Homeland(between Bartow and Fort Meade). When first responders arrived, they found the driver of the Camry, 55-year-old James Hatfield of Fort Meade, deceased in his vehicle. The semi-truck driver was not injured.
Evidence at the scene and interviews indicate that Hatfield was heading west on Homeland Garfield Road when, for unknown reasons, he crossed over into the eastbound lane where he was struck by the semi that was heading east. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation, which is ongoing.
