Lakeland Bystander, Driver Killed In Crash

LAKELAND, FL — Two people, including a Lakeland bystander, were killed Wednesday during a crash along East Memorial Boulevard and Lakeshore Drive, according to the Lakeland Police Department. The early morning crash occurred at 12:39 a.m.

The incident began when Lakeland Police Officer Jim Simon spotted a tan, 2000 Cadillac that allegedly ran a stop sign in a Lakeshore neighborhood.

"While Simon was attempting to get the tag number of the Cadillac, it sped away for unknown reasons," police said, adding that the officer was in his patrol car but was not involved in a police chase at the time of the crash.

"Officer Simon was unable to catch up to the car to conduct a traffic stop before it ran a red light and struck another vehicle in the Memorial Boulevard and Lakeshore Drive intersection," Lakeland police explained.

The driver of the Cadillac was identified as 32-year-old Cleon Truedell of Plant City. He crashed into the front passenger side of a blue 2017 Mitsubishi sedan driven by Linel Marie Vega-Ortiz, who was traveling west on Memorial Boulevard with a green light at the intersection.

"The force of the impact caused the Mitsubishi to slide into a utility pole," Lakeland police explained. "The Cadillac hit a utility pole guide wire and cross-walk sign before rolling over just south of the intersection, landing in the roadway on Lakeshore Drive."

First responders from the Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Fire Rescue and the Lakeland Fire Department all attempted life-saving measures at the scene.

Vega-Ortiz, who recently celebrated her 38th birthday, was pronounced dead at the scene by aPolk County Fire Rescue paramedic. Truedell was taken to Lakeland Regional Health where he died around 1:30 a.m.

"The roadway was shut down for approximately four and a half hours," Lakeland police said. "It is still unknown at this time why Truedell fled upon sight of law enforcement."

The crash remains under investigation.