Four Killed, Seven Hospitalized in Multi-Vehicle Crash on SR-60 in Polk County

A devastating multi-vehicle collision in Lake Wales left four people dead and seven others hospitalized Wednesday afternoon, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Grady Judd said deputies responded shortly after 4:00 p.m. to a crash on State Road 60 East near Capps Road involving five vehicles and 11 individuals. During a preliminary investigation, authorities reported that one vehicle struck another in the westbound lanes, causing the impacted vehicle to cross into eastbound traffic where it collided with additional vehicles.

Sheriff Judd confirmed that four people died as a result of the crash, while seven others were transported to hospitals with injuries. As of early evening, SR-60 remained shut down as investigators reconstructed the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

Chain-reaction crashes involving multiple vehicles are among the most dangerous roadway incidents because they frequently occur at highway speeds and involve unpredictable secondary impacts.

Common contributing factors in multi-vehicle collisions include:

• Following too closely or sudden braking
• Distracted driving
• Excessive speed
• Unsafe lane changes
• Driver fatigue or impairment

When vehicles are forced into opposing lanes, the likelihood of head-on or high-impact collisions increases dramatically, often leading to severe or fatal injuries.

Legal Options After a Fatal or Serious Multi-Vehicle Crash in Florida

When a crash results in death, surviving family members may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida’s Wrongful Death Act (Florida Statutes §§768.16–768.26).

For injured survivors, civil claims may seek compensation for:

• Emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• Ongoing care and rehabilitation
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability

Florida follows a modified comparative negligence standard (§768.81), meaning fault may be shared among multiple drivers. In multi-vehicle crashes, liability is often complex and requires careful reconstruction to determine how the chain of events unfolded.

Law enforcement investigations focus on determining how the crash occurred and whether traffic laws were violated. They do not evaluate civil liability or pursue financial recovery for victims.

An independent legal investigation may involve:

• Crash reconstruction analysis
• Vehicle damage and impact sequencing
• Roadway and visibility evaluations
• Witness interviews
• Event data recorder (black box) information
• Insurance coverage analysis

This evidence is critical in multi-vehicle crashes where multiple parties may share responsibility.

Compassionate Representation for Crash Victims and Families

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families and injured victims throughout Florida following serious and fatal motor vehicle crashes, including complex multi-vehicle collisions.

We understand the immense emotional and financial toll these tragedies cause. Our firm intentionally limits its caseload so clients work directly with experienced attorneys—not case managers—and we are prepared to handle the complex liability issues that arise in large crash investigations.

Our firm can help by:

• Conducting an independent investigation
• Identifying all liable parties
• Handling communications with insurers
• Pursuing full compensation under Florida law

There are no upfront costs. We only get paid if we recover compensation for you.

📞 If you lost a loved one or were injured in this Polk County crash or any serious collision in Florida, contact Flanagan & Bodenheimer for a free, confidential consultation.