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Fatal crash shuts down southbound US 27 in Polk County

Posted at 6:36 AM, Jan 16, 2020
and last updated 2020-01-17 05:15:43-05

LAKE WALES, Fla. — A 77-year-old man was killed in a crash that shut down the southbound lanes of US Highway 27, near Collany Lane, for several hours in Lake Wales on Thursday.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says 24-year-old Taron Rolle, of Bartow, was driving a 2001 tan Isuzu Trooper when he lost control for unknown reasons just before 6 a.m.

Authorities say the Isuzu rotated counter-clockwise and traveled through a grass median. James Hildock, of Daytona Beach, hit the Isuzu with his 2012 Ford Escape.

Deputies say the Escape rolled several times and landed on its roof. Rolle's passenger, his twin brother Tarell, was ejected from the Isuzu.

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Hildock was pronounced dead at the scene. The twins were both taken to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Deputies say they are expected to recover from their injuries.

Taron and Hildock were wearing seat belts, deputies say, while Tarell was not. Hildock's family told deputies he was on his way to work in Sebring.

Deputies say Taron told them he and his brother were also on their way to work, and his doesn't know why he lost control of his vehicle.

The southbound lanes were closed for 5 hours before reopening.

The sheriff's office says the investigation is on-going.