Lakeland Woman Loses Control Of Car, Plows Into Garage

HAINES CITY, FL — An 18-year-old Lakeland woman plowed into a garage attached to a home Tuesday night after losing control of her Honda Fit and striking three street signs, three mailboxes and a cable wire.

"No serious injuries were reported Tuesday night after a 2007 Honda Fit came to a rest inside the garage of a house on Lake Brown Drive after 11 p.m.," according to Mike Ferguson of the Haines City Police Department.

The driver was identified as Ashley Carter, who had been traveling west on Polk City Road near the intersection of Kentucky Avenue. She told police that she fell asleep behind the wheel on her way home from a friend's house.

"Carter was alert and conscious when officers arrived. She was transported to Heart of Florida Regional Medical Center for evaluation, but had no signs of serious injury," Ferguson explained.

He said Carter was wearing her seat belt and showed no signs of impairment when police arrived. Multiple people were inside the home at the time of the crash, but none were injured.

"Driving impaired is never a good idea, but driving while fatigued can also have deadly results," Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky said. "We're grateful that everyone involved was OK and that the young driver in this case is faced with just a learning experience and not something that will cost her, or haunt the rest of her life."

The Honda was later removed from the garage and towed away from the residence. City officials determined the garage to be structurally sound.

The Haines City Fire Department and Polk County Emergency Medical Services also assisted with the crash.