Florida man dies after car crashes into a motel

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man was killed Saturday afternoon when a car hit him and crashed into a motel lobby in Polk County, deputies said.

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According to a news release, the crash happened around 4:20 p.m. at the Economy Inn Suites at 1901 Cypress Gardens Blvd in Winter Haven.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a man was driving a black Ford Focus eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard.

Deputies said he lost control of the car, went off the road, hit a man that standing outside the motel, and then crashed into the lobby.

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When first responders arrived at the scene, the 33-year-old man hit by the car was pronounced dead, and the driver was injured.

Police identified the driver as a 29-year-old man from Winter Haven.

The man was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

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Fire crews said the crash severely damaged the motel, but they temporarily stabilized the structure until it can be fully repaired.

Deputies left the scene around 9:20 p.m., and one lane of Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for about four hours.

Investigators said the driver may have suffered a medical episode that led to the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.

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