Pedestrian killed crossing road in Polk County, investigators say

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 75-year-old man was hit and killed Tuesday in a crash on U.S. 17 near Carroll Drive after he stepped in front of an oncoming car, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

Sarah Townsend, 34, of Winter Haven, was driving north on U.S. 17 at 6:50 p.m. when a man stepped in front of her SUV, investigators said.

It was unclear why the man, identified as William Sylvester, stepped into traffic, but Townsend did not have time to stop or swerve, deputies said.

She stopped her vehicle and called for help, but by the time emergency personnel arrived, it was too late. Sylvester was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance video was found that shows the man stepping in front of Sylvester’s vehicle, deputies said.

Neither speed nor driver impairment are believed to be factors in the crash, the sheriff’s office said

Cox Media Group