FATAL CRASH INVESTIGATION
LAKELAND, FL (May 11, 2022) - On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, at approximately 11:26 a.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near West Lake Parker Drive and Tropical Way. Just prior to the crash, a Honda Civic was traveling on West Lake Parker Drive at a high rate of speed after fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run crash that had just occurred near the intersection of Lakeshore Drive and East Memorial Boulevard. As the vehicle approached the intersection of Tropical Way, the driver lost control of the car, and the vehicle began to rotate and left the lane of travel into the path of a Volkswagen Jetta. The driver of the Jetta was unable to avoid the crash, and both vehicles collided.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department all arrived on the scene and began to provide life-saving measures. The driver of the Honda Civic, 27-year-old Raymen Houston, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Volkswagen Jetta, 43-year-old Victor Sanchez, did not require any medical assistance.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately 3 1/2 hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation. If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at tyler.anderson@lakelandgov.net.
The driver of the Honda Civic:
Raymen Houston
Age: 27
Lakeland, FL
Deceased
The driver of the Volkswagen Jetta:
Victor Sanchez
Age: 43
Lakeland, FL
Media inquiries should be directed to mediarelations@lakelandgov.net.