PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – A Lakeland man was killed and three other Central Floridians suffered serious injuries in a head-on crash in Pasco County on Friday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. on U.S. 98, south of Stranton Hall Drive, troopers said.
According to a preliminary FHP crash report, a Genesis GV80 being driven by a 28-year-old Orlando man was traveling south on U.S. 98 while a Kia Soul traveled north, driven by a 51-year-old Lakeland man. The Orlando man attempted to pass another vehicle and entered the path of the Kia, causing the Genesis to strike it, the report states.
The Genesis and Kia came to final rest in the travel lanes and shoulder, respectively, troopers said.
The Lakeland man died at the scene while two passengers in his vehicle — a 43-year-old Orlando man and a 28-year-old Kissimmee woman — were hospitalized for treatment of serious injuries, as was the Orlando man driving the Genesis, according to FHP.
You can listen to every episode of Florida’s Fourth Estate in the media player below: