Update: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred around 4:10 p.m. yesterday (Thursday, April 18, 2024) on SR 37 South in front of Bay Port Valve and Fitting in Mulberry, involving a car and a semi tractor-trailer.
The 2007 Freightliner hauling a 53 foot trailer was heading south on SR 37 when the driver, 60-year-old Alberto Benitez of Hialeah, failed to notice a pickup truck stopped in the roadway southbound to make a left turn into the business. Benitez applied his emergency brakes, and the semi began to jackknife and slide. The driver of the pickup truck quickly accelerated into the business parking lot to avoid being struck by the semi. The semi then slid into the northbound lane of SR 37 and into the path of a silver 2016 Kia Optima being driven by 40-year-old Johny Sanabria of Mulberry. Johny attempted to avoid being hit but was unable to do so. He was declared deceased at the scene.
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Mulberry, Florida – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is currently on scene of a fatal crash on SR 37. According to reports the accident involved a semi tractor-trailer versus a car in between Bluff & Cozart Roads.
The crash occurred around 4:15 p.m. The roadway in that area is shut down until further notice. Please use alternate routes.
