Lakeland, Florida -- A head on collision involving three vehicles occurred at the 11000 Block of US 98 North, near Earnest Road in Lakeland on Wednesday evening.
Based on witness interviews and evidence at the scene it appears as if 43-year-old April Louise Black was driving a black 2014, Kia Rio pulled onto US 98 from an unknown drive or road approximately 1 or 2 miles north of where the crash occurred.
Black was observed driving in an aggressive and erratic manner southbound on US 98. As she approached the area of the crash, Black attempted to pass a white, 2004 Toyota pick-up, driven by 43-year-old Brian P. Miller, who was also traveling south on US 98.
At the same time, a third vehicle, a blue 1999 Mercury Sable, driven by an adult male, was northbound approaching the other two vehicles.
Black attempted to move back into the southbound lane, but was unable as the right front of the Kia struck the left rear of the pick-up causing minor damage to the truck.
At almost the same instant, the left front of the Kia and the left front of the Mercury collided at highway speeds.
The Kia came to final rest facing east along the west shoulder of the roadway, while the Mercury came to final rest facing northwest along the east shoulder of the roadway. Miller stopped, turned around, and parked in the northbound lane in an attempt to aid the victims.
The airbags in both the Kia and the Mercury deployed. Neither driver appeared to have been wearing seat belts. Black and the adult male driver of the Mercury, died at the scene.
There were three passengers in the Mercury; 43-year-old Michelle Kraemer was the right front passenger. She was wearing her seatbelt. She suffered serious injuries and was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Two juveniles were in the back seat of the Mercury, Kraemer's 12-year-old daughter, Summer Sky Kraemer, and Kraemer's niece 14-year old Angela M. Knapp. Summer was transported to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando in critical condition. Angela was transported to Tampa General Hospital in serious condition.
It does not appear that either juvenile was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
US 98 was closed for approximately four hours in both directions as a result of the crash.
Excessive speed and impairment on the part of Black are possible factors in this crash.
