No charges are anticipated following a fatal two-vehicle crash that occurred in the early morning of Monday, March 18, 2024 west of Lakeland.
Detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the crash that occurred at around 2:32 AM on New Tampa Highway (US 92) at Clark Road.
Miguel Jacinto, 56, from Lakeland, suffered significant injuries and died at the scene. He had been driving a gray 2013 Volkswagen Jetta.
PCSO Traffic Homicide investigators determined that Mr. Jacinto had been traveling north on Clark Road at a high rate of speed, and failed to stop at a red light. The Volkswagen slammed into the passenger side of a refrigerated trailer being pulled by a Freightliner semi-tractor that was traveling east on New Tampa Highway by a Tifton, Georgia man.
The front of the Volkswagen became wedged under the trailer, in front of the rear axles.
Both drivers were wearing their seat belts, and the truck driver was not injured.
The eastbound lane of New Tampa Highway was closed for approximately five hours during the initial stage of the investigation.
