Tractor-trailer jackknifes, slides across oncoming lanes of SR 37, killing Mulberry man
MULBERRY — A Mulberry man was killed in a semi tractor-trailer collision Thursday afternoon on State Road 37.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office homicide unit is investigating the fatal accident that killed 40-year-old Johny Sanabria.
About 4:10 p.m. Thursday, Polk County deputies responded to reports of a crash in front of Bay Port Valve and Fitting in Mulberry off State Road 37.
A 2007 Freightliner hauling a 53-foot trailer driven by Albert Benitez of Hialeah was heading south on State Road 37. Benitez failed to notice a pickup truck that was stopped in southbound lanes, attempting to make a left turn into the business, the Sheriff's Office said.
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Benitez applied his emergency brakes and the semi began to jackknife and slide along the roadway, according to deputies. The unidentified driver in the pickup truck accelerated, turning into the business parking lot to avoid being struck by the truck.
The Sheriff's Office said the tractor-trailer slid into the northbound lanes of SR 37, into the path of a silver 2016 Kia Optima being driven by Sanabria. He attempted to avoid being hit, according to the Sheriff's Office, but was unable to do so.
Sanabria died at the scene.
The investigation remains open and ongoing at this time.
Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on X @SaraWalshFl.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Mulberry man dies in collision with tractor-trailer on SR 37
