7PM Update: The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit investigated a traffic fatality related to Hurricane Milton on Thursday, October 10, 2024, in the area of unincorporated Fort Meade, FL.
According to the preliminary investigation so far, at around 5:45 a.m. this morning, 68-year-old Bruce Kinsler of Bartow, who is employed by Polk County Roads and Drainage, was working as part of a four-person “push team” in the area of U.S. Hwy 98 and Brooke Road, clearing the roadways of fallen trees.
Kinsler and his three coworkers located a downed tree on Hwy 98 about 500 feet east of the intersection with Brooke Road. After about 20 minutes of using chainsaws on the tree, 57-year-old Joel Wagner of Fort Meade, driving a black 2012 Ford F150 pickup truck westbound on Hwy 98, struck the fallen tree, pushing it into Mr. Kinsler and one of his coworkers. Wagner’s truck continued forward and was propelled into the work crew’s parked truck before coming to a stop.
Mr. Kinsler was transported to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. His coworker was not as significantly injured, and was treated and released. Mr. Wagner was also treated and released from a local hospital.
Joel Wagner was heading to work at the time. He is also employed by Polk County Roads and Drainage, and told deputies that he did not see the four-man work crew or their truck that was parked with lights and strobes on, illuminating them. The crew were also wearing their county-issued reflective vests and/or bright yellow rain gear. Wagner showed no signs of impairment, and the investigation is ongoing at this time. It was extremely dark and windy in the area at the time of the crash.
The roadway was closed for approximately four hours.
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Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 10, 2024) — An accident at the cross street of Brooke Road and US HWY 98 near Fort Meade, early this morning took the life of a Polk County employee.
Around 5:45 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, following Hurricane Milton, Polk County Fire Rescue and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving two Polk County Roads and Drainage employees.
The “push crews” were to report to work when it was safe to be out and begin clearing roads, following last night’s major hurricane. The crew was in the process of cutting down a tree that had fallen and was blocking US 98 when a vehicle struck a Fort Meade Maintenance Unit Service Worker.
Bruce Kinsler, 68 was killed. He had served Polk County for about a decade.
The driver of the vehicle was another Polk County employee, who was coming to join the crew for post storm recovery. The employee was transported to the hospital.
Safety precautions were in place and personal protective equipment was worn, according to established roadway safety procedures.
“The tragedy of this incident is compounded by the fact that Bruce Kinsler was killed serving the residents of this county,” said Bill Braswell, Polk County Commission Board Chair. “We ask a lot of the employees as public servants, and they respond to the call. For this to happen is just a tragedy.”
This is the second roadwork-related fatality in the division in the past 20 years.
“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the County Manager’s Office and the entire Polk County family, we want the family of Mr. Kinsler to know that we are deeply sorry for their loss,” said County Manager Bill Beasley.” “Mr. Kinsler was dedicated to serving Polk County’s residents.”
