Lakeland man charged with DUI-manslaughter in fatal Polk County crash

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Lakeland man is facing felony charges in connection with a fatal crash along U.S. 98 in Polk County Tuesday morning.

Deputies say 34-year-old Joshua Waters of Lakeland was driving a pickup truck hauling a trailer southbound on U.S. 98 North, near State Road 471, when the trailer crossed into the northbound lane hitting a box truck that was heading north.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Read: Deputies: Driver who killed 2 children, struck 4 others in hit-and-run crash arrested

According to investigators, Waters’ trailer became unstable and crossed over into the northbound lane and struck the box truck at the driver’s door.

The driver of the box truck, a 44-year-old Lakeland man, died at the scene.

His 18-year-old son from Tampa was also injured and remains in hospital with critical injuries.

See map of crash location below:

Deputies say indications are that the trailer being pulled may have been overweight and that may have contributed to the crash.

Read: ‘I’m going with a gun’: Father arrested for threatening to shoot up Central Florida school

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said alcohol was also a factor.

“What is obvious is that the driver pulling the trailer was driving while impaired, and his actions resulted in a man being killed, and his adult son being critically injured,” Judd said.

Read: Man shot by officers in Orlando neighborhood

Waters faces charges of DUI-manslaughter, DUI with serious bodily injury, and resisting arrest.

Deputies have not released the name of the driver who was killed or his injured passenger.

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

WFTV