Winter Haven mom, 3-year-old son killed in crash with parked train
Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office
BARTOW (FOX 13) - A 3-year-old and his mother died after their car crashed into a parked train in Bartow.
The crash occurred on Monday, around 11:45 p.m., according to Polk County deputies. It occurred near the intersection of U.S. Highway 17 and Spirit Lake Road.
Preliminary evidence shows the mother, identified as 29-year-old Classie Jones of Winter Haven, was heading northbound in a 1999 silver Toyota Coralla on U.S. 17 when she lost control of the car, traveled across the median and southbound lanes, and crashed, deputies say. The train was parked on the tracks that run parallel with the highway. Speeding and impairment could be factors, investigators say.
When deputies arrived on scene, Classie and her son, Benjamin, were unresponsive. Both passed away at local hospitals.
Classie was not wearing a seatbelt, officials say, and the child was buckled in a booster seat behind the driver seat.
No other information was immediately available, but the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation is ongoing.