Chase Ends in Bystander's Death [Lakeland FL]

The Ledger ^ | 7/17/06

[doc30]

LAKELAND -- A person died on State Road 33 north of I-4 early today when the vehicle he or she was in was hit by a stolen pickup truck, according to police reports.

After receiving reports that a woman stole a pickup from a man in Lakeland, officers spotted the truck and chased it. Police cruisers ended up driving into stop sticks that had been placed on the road to stop the pickup.

The incident resulted in the closing of State Road 33 this morning from I-4 to Tomkow Road.

[doc30]

If it wasn't for the tragic death of an innocent person, this story would be a comedy right out of Dukes of Hazzard. If you know Lakeland, FL, it's more like the deep south than the the big cities. Stolen truck gets away after police disable their own vehicles in the chase.

[Red Badger]

We had one of these tragic incidents a couple of weeks ago here in FT. Walton Beach. A Deputy was chasing a possible DUI, when the DUI hit a car at a redlight. Killed a 20 year old woman and her dog, but was unharmed herself........

[sgtbono2002]

They have a person dead and they dont know its sex? has anyone pulled down the deceased pants and looked?

[goseminoles]

LOL That's the first thing I thought!

[freedomlover]

These days it takes a chromosome test. Don't want to offend someone's family by releasing incorrect info.

[Red Badger]

Apparently............