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Maintenance worker clearing storm debris in Polk County dies in crash

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POLK COUNTY, Fla — A Fort Meade Maintenance worker died early Thursday morning while clearing storm debris.

According to Polk County, the worker was clearing roads around 5:45 a.m. from US 98. The worker was in the process of cutting down a tree that was blocking a road when a vehicle struck the service worker.

Bruce Kinsler, 68, was killed in the crash.

According to the county, the driver of the vehicle was another Polk County employee who was driving in to help with post-storm recovery.

The driver was transported to the hospital.

Kinsler had served Polk County for about a decade, according to officials.

“We ask a lot of the employees as public servants, and they respond to the call. For this to happen is just a tragedy,” said Bill Braswell, Polk County Commission Board Chair.

A Hardee County grandmother is on trial this week for leaving her 7-month-old granddaughter in a hot car where the baby died —the second grandchild to die under Tracey Nix's care. ABC Action News I-Team Reporter Kylie McGivern sat down with Kaila Nix just days ahead of her mother's trial for aggravated manslaughter.

Trial begins Monday for woman who left 7-month-old granddaughter in hot car