Lakeland Man Killed in Broadway Avenue Crash

LAKELAND, FL — The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a Sunday night pedestrian crash that left a 22-year-old Lakeland man dead.

According to the agency, Robert McNeely was crossing Broadway Avenue, near Lakewood Court, around 11:20 p.m. Dec. 18. At that time, a 2009 Toyota Highlander driven by Danielle Bonin, 28, was heading down the road.

Bonin’s Toyota struck McNeely, the sheriff’s office said in an email to media. Bonin, the agency noted, knew she hit something, but could not see what it was nor did she “realize that it was a person.”

Bonin continued to her home a quarter-mile away and called 911.

“She then turned around and returned to the area, looked around, and located the victim,” the email said.

McNeely was taken to Lakeland Regional Medical Health Center, but was later pronounced dead, the agency said.

The sheriff’s office said Bonin is cooperating with its investigation. “Impairment on her part does not appear to be a factor,” the agency noted. “The roadway in the area is not lit by streetlights and McNeely was wearing dark clothing.”

No further information is being released at this time.

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