The Traffic Homicide Investigations of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred near Mulberry on Monday, January 1, 2024—it’s the third straight day the unit has responded to a fatal crash.
PCSO deputies and members of Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched at about 6:00 pm to State Road 60 at Coronet Road, about four miles west of Mulberry, in response to a two-vehicle crash.
39-year old Audrey Hills of Mulberry suffered serious injuries and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital, but she was pronounced deceased upon arrival.
The 29-year old driver of the second vehicle and a passenger in Ms. Hills’ vehicle were also transported to the hospital for treatment for minor injuries.
The Florida Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control while westbound SR 60 was closed for about three hours.
From evidence and witness statements, detectives determined that Ms. Hills had been driving a black 2016 Kia sedan with a 40-year old male passenger from Mulberry.
The other involved vehicle was a blue 2016 Ford F150 pickup truck which was occupied by a 29-year old Dundee man who was the driver, and a 26-year old woman from Gibsonton.
Just prior to the crash, Ms. Hills’ Kia had been stopped on southbound Coronet Road at the intersection with SR 60, while the Ford pickup truck was traveling west on SR 60.
Ms. Hills attempted to make a left turn onto eastbound SR 60, and in doing so, crossed into the path of the oncoming Ford pickup, and the vehicles collided.
