LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Polk County Sheriff's Office is investigating an apparent road rage incident that left one person dead. 

  • Driver killed as vehicle crashes into fence
  • Crash at US Hwy 98 South and Cypress Avenue Southeast
  • Polk Sheriff's Office investigating

Sheriff Grady Judd said during a press conference Friday afternoon that two vehicles--a Nissan Altima and a Dodge Ram--were driving recklessly and cutting each other off before they collided at US Highway 98 South and Cypress Avenue Southeast. 

Sheriff Judd said both vehicles hit and skidded alongside a vacant business at the corner of US Hwy 98 and Cypress Ave. This happened just before 11 a.m. 

 

 

Judd said the Dodge truck continued through a plastic fence, impaling the 27-year-old driver in the chest. The victim, Daniel Bagwell, was transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center where he died. 

"We have a fatality today. We have a needless fatality today," Judd said. 

The 22-year-old driver of the Altima received only minor injuries. He was identified as Brondon Manning. Deputies said he cooperated with the investigation and has been released, but the investigation is not over.

The sheriff's office is searching for witnesses in the area who saw the crash. Anyone with info is asked to call the Polk County Sheriff's Office at 863-298-6200.