Traffic Fatality Involving a Pedestrian
LAKELAND, FL (August 31, 2022) - On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at approximately 8:44 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near the 3000 block of US 98 North. Prior to the crash, a 2008 Infinity sedan was traveling in the inside southbound lane of US 98 N when a pedestrian attempted to cross US 98 N outside a designated crosswalk area. The driver of the sedan swerved in an attempt to avoid impact but struck the pedestrian. After falling to the ground, the pedestrian was struck by a second vehicle, a 1997 Toyota Camry, also traveling southbound. Both drivers immediately stopped and remained at the scene.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The pedestrian, 27-year-old Hector Lugo, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he was declared deceased a short time later by medical professionals.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately two hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact investigating Officer Camilo Almeida at camilo.almeida@lakelandgov.net.
The pedestrian was identified as:
Hector Daniel Lugo
Age: 27
Haines City, FL
The Infinity operator was identified as:
Koby Bradley Andress
Age: 18
Lakeland FL
The Toyota operator was identified as:
Claude Saintelias
Age: 54
Lakeland, FL