63-Year-Old Lakeland Man Killed Crossing Street

LAKELAND, FL — A 63-year-old Lakeland man died Friday after being struck by a Ford-250 van when he "darted" into traffic, according to police.

A Lakeland Police Department spokesperson said the incident occurred at 8:34 p.m. along Kathleen Road.

"As the Ford Van approached the 1200 block of Kathleen Road, a pedestrian, later identified as Collis Holley, darted out into the road," police said. "Holley was attempting to cross the roadway from east to west, in an area not marked for pedestrian traffic with little lighting."

The driver of the van was identified as 30-year-old Eric Trisch of Lakeland. Police said Trisch tried to turn left to avoid Holley but was unable to do so.

Holley was struck by the right side of the Ford.

"Trisch pulled over and came to a stop off the side of the roadway" according to police, who said Holley was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital.

Personnel from the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue administered life-saving measures at the scene.

Holley was taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he died shortly before midnight.

"Due to the severity of injuries, the members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation," police said.

Traffic was shut down for three-and-a-half hours during the on-scene investigation.