POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a 24-year-old man after an early morning crash near Mulberry left two people dead and six others injured, including a high school senior on her way to school.
According to authorities, around 5:40 a.m., an 18-year-old Bartow High School student was driving east in a red pickup truck on S.R. 60 West at the intersection of Pine Grove Road in Willow Oak, which is near Mulberry. A silver Ford Expedition headed west, driven by Elmer Bryan Giron-Canil, turned left onto the road and into the path of the pickup truck, which caused the vehicles to collide.
“The silver expedition was picking up some of his team. They worked in construction and he just apparently failed to see this red pickup truck,” said Sheriff Grady Judd.
After an investigation, however, authorities claimed Canil admitted to seeing the truck's headlights but thought he could make it across. He also allegedly told detectives he did not have a driver's license since he was undocumented.
During a press conference, Sheriff Grady Judd stated there were seven people inside the Expedition during the crash. Four passengers not wearing seatbelts were ejected from the SUV.
“Two of them landed in the road. Two of them landed in the wood line. They were significantly injured. Our 18-year-old graduating senior was significantly injured as well,” Judd said.
The student was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with one other person. Five others were taken to Lakeland Regional Health, where one person died and the others range from stable to critical.
Canil was taken to the Polk County Jail after receiving treatment for minor injuries. Authorities added that Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed an immigration detainer for Canil after confirming he is undocumented.
Judd said one of the people injured is undergoing emergency surgery.
Judd added that the Bartow High student is set to graduate later this month.
No other information has been released at this time.
