Fatal Car Accident in Polk County: Driver Deceased, Toddler and Mother Hospitalized After Vehicle Plunges into Ditch

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A tragic accident occurred in Polk County, Florida, claiming the life of a driver and leaving a mother and her young son hospitalized. The incident unfolded just before 1 p.m. on Friday near Lake Wales, according to reports from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.

The crash took place on State Road 60, close to Tiger Lake Road, involving a single vehicle—a Toyota Camry driven by 21-year-old Connor Houston Strickland from Fort Pierce. Traveling westbound, the family’s journey took a devastating turn when Strickland lost control of the car, causing it to veer off the road and roll into a ditch on the south side.

Details surrounding the cause of the crash remain unclear as authorities continue their investigation. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this unfortunate event, which follows another incident where four individuals were injured in a separate crash involving an ambulance and a Tesla at a Florida intersection.

For reasons not yet known, Strickland lost control of the vehicle and it rolled into a ditch on the south side of State Road 60, according to authorities.

(Credit: Polk County Sheriff’s Office)

Officials said Strickland and his girlfriend, Alexandria Janae McConnell, 26, of Auburndale, were not wearing seatbelts and were thrown from the car.

Their 2-year-old son was secured in a child seat. First responders said they found the child still secured in the back seat when they arrived at the crash site.

A dog was also found in the car and taken to Polk County Animal Control.

Deputies said Strickland died at the scene. McConnell and her child were taken to two different hospitals.

Both sides of State Road 60 were closed while first responders were on scene.

Authorities said they determined the Toyota was traveling at 74 mph in a 60 mph zone seconds before the crash. The investigation remained ongoing Friday.