The Plant City Police Department (PCPD) said one of their officers was not at fault for a crash involving an unmarked police vehicle and a sedan on Oct. 7 thanks to an independent witness that came forward and told police what they observed in the moments leading up to the crash.
According to a news release, the officer, who was responding to an in-progress call, was traveling southbound in the center lane on N. Park Road in a Dodge Durango police vehicle with its emergency lights activated. A gray Ford Fusion, traveling northbound on N. Park Road, was in the left turn lane, attempting to make a left turn onto E. Cherry Street when the police vehicle struck the car.
The driver of the Ford Fusion, an adult male, failed to yield right-of-way to the Dodge Durango prior to initiating the left turn, and as a result was struck on its passenger side by the front of the Durango, police said.
An adult female was riding in the Ford Fusion’s passenger seat and three children, ages three and younger, rode in the backseat. While the children were seated in child restraint seats, none of the seats were fastened to the vehicle. All of the occupants of the Ford Fusion were transported to Lakeland Regional Health for treatment. The police officer was not injured.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200.