Victims identified in deadly car and semi crash on Highway 27

POLK COUNTY, FL – Authorities identified the two people killed when a car and a semi-truck hauling a trailer collided on U.S. Highway 27 in Polk County earlier this month.

This is an update to a previous story.

According to the Daily Ridge, the two victims were 33-year-old Brandon Leonard White of Winter Haven and 31-year-old Clarissa Iris Cruz of Lake Wales. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said White was driving a Toyota sedan on Cypress Gardens Boulevard in Winter Haven at about 3 a.m. when the accident occurred. Investigators said he drove onto Highway 27 and crashed into the side of the trailer as it moved through the intersection.

The car was lodged underneath the trailer and was dragged several hundred feet, with both vehicles catching fire. White and Cruz, his passenger, were trapped in the car and pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the truck, 43-year-old Amircal Valles of Haines City, managed to detach the semi from the trailer and moved it away from the crash. He was not hurt.

Highway 27 was shut down for about seven hours while the scene was being cleared. Investigators said the truck had the green light at the intersection at the time of the incident.

Semi-truck collisions are some of the most devastating accidents on Florida’s roads and the injuries from those involved in truck accidents cause lasting impacts on the lives of the victims. Kemp Law Group Law Group is the legal partner you can trust after a semi-truck accident. Our experienced Polk County Truck Accident Lawyers know how to fight for the resources you need to heal after an accident. Request a free consultation today so we can answer all your case specific questions. Call us today at 727-325-5512 to get started.