2 Polk County Pedestrians Killed By Truck

MULBERRY, FL — Two Lakeland men were struck and killed by a semitruck Monday night as the vehicle attempted to negotiate a curve along State Road 60 in Mulberry.

Brian Bruchey of the Polk County Sheriff's Office said the victims were walking along the highway east of Coronet Road at the time of the crash around 8:21 p.m..

The victims were identified by the sheriff's office as 29-year-old Rafael Gandoy and 23-year-old Armando Melendez.

"The truck was driving east in the outside lane of S.R. 60 and struck both men as they were walking east on the paved right-of-way," Bruchey said. "The passenger side tires of the truck crossed the white fog line and the truck hit both men."

The driver of the white 2016 International tractor was identified as 54-year-old Francisco Botello-Herndandez, also from Lakeland, according to Bruchey. Botello-Herndandez was not injured.

"Both pedestrians were found lying in the grass, south of the roadway, with extensive trauma," Bruchey said. "Mr. Gandoy was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Melendez was found with a faint pulse and was airlifted to Lakeland Regional Health, but succumbed to his injuries."

Bruchey said Botello-Herndandez remained at the scene when the sheriff's office and first responders from Polk Fire Rescue arrived.

Traffic was rerouted for nearly five hours as investigators combed the crash scene. The crash remained under investigation as of Tuesday.