LAKE WALES, Fla. — A 29-year-old Lakeland man was killed Thursday in a multi-vehicle crash on State Road 60 in Lake Wales.

  • Multi-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon killed Lakeland man
  • Joshua Auguste died in Lake Wales crash that involved 4 vehicles including 2 semis
  • Aguste's VW sedan veered from lane in wet conditions, was struck by semi

The crash occurred at the intersection with Grape Hammock Road. State Road 60 was shut down for several hours after the crash.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the 2:45 p.m. crash involved four vehicles, including two semis, which resulted in significant diesel fuel and oil on the roadway and debris that took some time to clean and tow.

Deputies said a silver 2012 Volkswagen car being driven by Joshua Auguste of Lakeland was heading westbound on SR 60 just west of Grape Hammock Rd at a high rate of speed when it began to hydroplane, as it was raining heavily at the time.

The VW went into the eastbound lane and glanced off of a 2019 red Kia Sorrento. The VW rotated and was then struck by an eastbound 1986 Kenworth semi truck pulling a trailer, causing significant damage and killing Auguste.

The semi exited the roadway and came to a rest in a ditch, with the trailer still in the eastbound lane.

Another semi heading westbound struck some debris from the crash and came to a controlled stop.

None of the other drivers were injured.