POINCIANA, Fla. (WFLA) – The Polk County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit responded to the scene of a fiery two-vehicle crash that killed three people in Poinciana on Tuesday.
The sheriff’s office said the crash occurred around 7:20 p.m. at the intersection of Marigold Avenue and Bell Tower Crossing East.
According to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, a red sports car driven by Emmanuel Semedo, 19, was traveling north at a high rate of speed on Marigold Avenue toward Poinciana.
A deputy passed the car and turned around to attempt to locate the vehicle, which had gone around a curve and out of the deputy’s sight.
When the deputy rounded the curve, the deputy discovered the crash which Judd described as “horrific.”
Judd said it appears Semedo crossed over the double yellow line and hit a larger white vehicle with a driver and a passenger head on.
The sports car caught fire and the deputy was able to get Semedo out and attempted to perform CPR. However Semedo was pronounced dead on-scene. The two passengers in Semedo’s vehicle Johana Rodriguez, 45, and Ramon Cintron,43, were also pronounced dead on scene.
Detectives are also looking for a gray pickup truck (unknown make and model) that was also speeding prior to the crash, It is not known if the pickup truck was involved in with the crash, but detectives would like to speak with the driver of that truck.
If anyone witnessed anything in this area they are asked to contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 863-298-6200.