Traffic Homicide detectives from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office began investigating a two-vehicle crash southeast of Haines City Tuesday morning, April 16, 2024, which resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.
21-year old Erik Manuel Torres of Poinciana was killed at the scene of the crash on Lake Hatchineha Road (County Road 542), west of V-8 Ranch Road.
The driver of the other vehicle suffered minor injuries.
Polk County Fire Rescue and deputies from the PCSO were dispatched to the crash at around 6:42 AM.
Mr. Torres had been driving a white 2018 Kawasaki motorcycle east on Lake Hatchineha Road as a gray 2002 Ford F150 pickup truck began pulling out of a private driveway to make a left (west) turn onto Lake Hatchineha Road.
According to the preliminary investigation, the Ford truck entered into the right-of-way of Mr. Torres, and the two vehicles collided, which subsequently ejected Mr. Torres from the bike.
A passenger in the Ford pickup did not suffer any injuries.
Both lanes of Lake Hatchineha Road were closed for approximately three hours while first responders were on scene.
Detectives have so far determined that Mr. Torres was wearing a properly secured helmet at the time of the crash, but the impact caused it to come off.
