2 killed in Polk County crash

DAVENPORT, Fla. — Two people died and another person was injured following a crash in Polk County involving three vehicles just before midnight Friday.

Deputies said a Toyota Camry, driven by 36-year-old Douglas Brate, of Lake Wales, was heading northbound on U.S. Highway 17-92 in Davenport when he either tried to pass or got too close to the vehicle in front of him.

Brate struck the rear of a Chevy Cruze, driven by 21-year-old Nicole Beaumont, of Haines City.

Brate’s Camry was pushed into the southbound lane, where it collided head-on with a mini-van driven by Alexandra Arellano, 24, also of Haines City.

Officers said Brate died at the scene, along with Melvin Jaramillio, a passenger in Arellano’s van.

Arellano was rushed to Heart of Florida Hospital with minor injuries.

Neither Beaumont nor her three passengers—two adults and a baby—were injured.

Everyone involved in the accident wore seat belts, and the baby was properly restrained in a car seat, according to the sheriff’s office.

Roads in the area were shut down for about five hours after the crash.

Deputies said no one was charged because the at-fault driver is deceased. Investigators believe excessive speed was a factor.

WFTV