The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a single-vehicle traffic fatality that occurred just before 1:00 a.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023.
According to the evidence at the scene and the investigation so far, 27-year-old Alphonse Vansickle of Lake Wales was driving a 2016 black Volkswagen four-door eastbound on Cypress Gardens Blvd. approaching the intersection with Lake Ruby Drive when, for unknown reasons, he left the roadway at a high rate of speed while negotiating a slight left curve. The car began to rotate and then entered a shallow drainage ditch, striking a culvert which propelled the car into the air. The car then struck and broke a concrete utility pole and continued through the air east another 90 feet before landing on the access road to the McDonald’s. The impact to the pole caused it to be displaced approximately six inches and snapped it a height of approximately 50 feet. Vansickle was wearing his seatbelt and his airbag deployed but he suffered significant injuries and died inside the car at the scene.
Excessive speed and possible impairment due to alcohol is suspected and being investigated. Photos from the scene are attached.
