EAGLE LAKE, Fla. (WFLA) — A two-vehicle crash in Eagle Lake on Monday afternoon left a mother dead, and her 2-year-old daughter in critical condition, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
At 1:45 p.m., deputies responded to the crash at SR-540 and Cooley Road, located just north of Eagle Lake.
The driver of a Hyundai Elantra, identified as a 33-year-old mother, was found dead in her vehicle. Her daughter was found properly restrained in a child safety seat in the backseat.
Deputies said the collision occurred when the mother, who had been traveling south on Cooler, crossed the westbound lanes of SR-540 and into the eastbound lanes, right into the path of a utility truck.
The toddler is in critical condition with life-threatening injuries, according to officials. The driver of the International utility truck, a 39-year-old Winter Haven man was not injured.
The eastbound lanes of SR-540 were closed for around three hours.
Officials are continuing to investigate the crash.