Officials are investigating a traffic crash involving a Winter Haven Police Officer and a pedestrian.
Officers said the crash happened at about 6:15 a.m. and involved an adult male on a skateboard who was taken to Lakeland Regional Health as a trauma alert. He is currently in critical condition, according to police.
The officer was uninjured and reportedly immediately rendered aid to the man until EMS personnel arrived.
Authorities identified the pedestrian as 21-yer-old Symon Bruce Uhl-Miller of Haines City. The officer was identified as 32-year-old Brian Jimenez-Morales.
Police said Uhl-Miller skated into the path of Officer Jimenez-Morales' vehicle when he was hit. Uhl-Miller was not wearing a helmet or any other protective gear, police said.
The investigation is ongoing. Police said Officer Jimenez-Morales was responding to a service call at the time but did not have his emergency lights on. The department said there's no evidence at this time that Officer Jimenez-Morales was speeding at the time.
The crash was witnessed by other motorists who spoke to police, according to the department.
Police say EB Cypress Gardens Blvd. was shut down near the LEGOLAND entrance due to the incident for four hours.
Polk County Sheriff's Office will be conducting the investigation.
