POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida police officer responding to a call at 105 mph was cited in a November crash that killed a 5-year-old girl, according to sheriff’s officials.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office issued an unlawful speed citation to Sgt. Danny Swan, who was driving a marked Auburndale Police Department pickup truck when it collided with a Kia sedan carrying 5-year-old Jalina on Nov. 25, 2023. The investigation into the crash was completed and the sheriff’s office released the findings on Friday.
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According to sheriff’s officials, Swan was responding around 10 p.m. to assist a Polk County deputy who needed help with a suspect on U.S. 92 at Old Winter Haven Road. Swan was traveling east on U.S. 92 with his lights activated and entered the intersection when the Kia also entered the intersection from Havendale Boulevard when the light turned green.
The sheriff’s office said the Kia driver told investigators she heard a siren but thought it was far away.
“The other vehicles at the stop light did not proceed through the intersection prior to the crash occurring when the light illuminated green,” a release said.
The Auburndale police pickup had reached 105 mph before slowing to 68 mph when the crash happened, deputies said.
The driver and 5-year-old girl were both wearing seatbelts, but the sheriff’s office said Friday the girl should have been in a booster seat “or approved child restraint device.” The girl was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Swan was cited Thursday, with the sheriff’s office citing Florida State Statute 316.183, which states: No person shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing. In every event, speed shall be controlled as may be necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle, or other conveyance or object on or entering the highway in compliance with legal requirements and the duty of all persons to use due care.
No citation was issued to the driver of the Kia because of the “tragic result of the crash,” sheriff’s officials said.
In a statement, Auburndale Police Chief Terry Storie said his department will also conduct an internal investigation.
I cannot pre-judge the outcome of this investigation, nor discuss disciplinary decisions until that review is completed. We will use the facts and findings from the PCSO report as a part of the internal investigation. Sergeant Danny Swan has been assigned to administrative, non-patrol duties since the crash. This administrative assignment will continue pending the outcome of the internal investigation.
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