Father and Daughter Killed During Multi-Vehicle Crash in Polk County
Deputies with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office are currently investigating a fatal auto accident involving three vehicles that claimed the lives of a 28-year-old father and his 8-year-old daughter this past Tuesday morning on U.S. Highway 27 near the Four Corners community.
Early incident reports from officers with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office indicate that it was close to 6:00 a.m. on April 11, 2023, when 28-year-old Christopher Roque-Pabon and his 8-year-old daughter Crisyareiliz Roque were travelling in the southbound direction of U.S. 27 in a Toyota Tercel. As the pair approached the vicinity of U.S. 192, something caused the driver to swerve in the southeast direction. While he tried to regain control of the vehicle, the Toyota lost its traction with the road and spun across a grassy median into the northbound traffic of U.S. 27 and the direct path of an oncoming Ford F-150 pickup. Neither driver was able to avoid a collision and the Toyota Tercel slammed into the driver’s side of the truck.
Minutes after the first collision occurred, a Toyota Corolla driven by 50-year-old Haines City resident Pedro Lopez entered the area. His vehicle struck the pickup truck, then crashed into an embankment on the side of the highway.
Multiple law enforcement agencies including authorities with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene of the three-vehicle crash. Emergency responders transported the driver of the pickup truck, 53-year-old Miguel Perez Diosdado of Haines City, and his four passengers to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Pedro Lopez, the driver of the Toyota Corolla, and his passenger were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Sadly, Christopher Roque-Pabon and his 8-year-old daughter Crisyareiliz did not survive the collision and were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
“My heart aches for this family who has lost a father and his little girl. Fatal traffic crashes are devastating,” said Sheriff Grady Judd in a statement to the press.
Since 1977, Polk County personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham has been fighting for the rights of victims who have been seriously injured or killed during an auto accident. If you would like additional information, please submit a quick & easy contact form located on our website. To schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please call our office directly at 877-FL-INJURY for an appointment.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.