Bartow Man Killed After Rear-End Crash with Semi-Truck in Lake Wales

A 32-year-old Bartow man was killed early Tuesday morning after his vehicle crashed into the back of a semi-truck in Lake Wales, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The fatal collision occurred in the early hours of February 25 along State Road 60 West at West Lake Wales Road North and remains under investigation.

Authorities say a 2026 Freightliner semi-truck was traveling eastbound on State Road 60 when a 2022 Kia K5 sedan, also heading east, struck the rear of the truck for reasons that have not yet been determined.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene and pronounced the driver of the Kia — a 32-year-old man from Bartow — deceased. His name had not been publicly released pending notification of family.

A 37-year-old Winter Haven woman, who was a passenger in the Kia, suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Investigators noted that the driver of the Kia was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Authorities confirmed that the vehicle’s airbags deployed, but he still sustained fatal injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck was not reported to have suffered injuries.

Law enforcement officials are continuing to investigate what caused the rear-end collision, including whether speed, distraction, fatigue, or mechanical issues may have been contributing factors.

Rear-End Truck Collisions Can Be Deadly

Crashes involving passenger vehicles and large commercial trucks often result in severe or fatal injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between the vehicles. Rear-end collisions with tractor-trailers can be particularly dangerous when a smaller vehicle underrides or absorbs the majority of the impact.

Common causes of rear-end crashes involving semi-trucks include:

• Distracted or drowsy driving
• Speeding or failure to slow in time
• Poor visibility or low lighting conditions
• Mechanical failures
• Traffic slowdowns or congestion

The investigation into this fatal Lake Wales crash remains ongoing. Anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information is encouraged to contact local authorities.