WINTER HAVEN, Polk County, Fla., Oct. 8, 2026 — A sedan became lodged underneath a semi-trailer Wednesday afternoon, October 7, in a crash at Lucerne Park Road and Lake Hamilton Drive W., that shut down the intersection, according to a dispatch report.
The crash was reported around 3:06 p.m. A caller told dispatchers a gray sedan had become stuck underneath a red semi pulling a trailer, the report said.
Everyone involved was reportedly out of both vehicles by the time the call went out, though the extent of any injuries was not known at the time. Emergency crews responded to the scene, and the roadway was completely blocked in the area, according to the report. Drivers were urged to avoid the intersection and take another route while crews worked.
No further details on the cause of the crash or the condition of those involved had been released as of this writing. This story may be updated as more information becomes available.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
How Underride Crashes Between Cars and Trucks Get Investigated
A crash where a smaller vehicle slides partly beneath a semi-trailer typically draws more than one agency to the scene: local or state troopers for traffic control and a report, and often a specialized crash reconstruction team if injuries are severe. That team measures skid marks, photographs the vehicles' final positions, and examines the underride guard on the trailer before anything is towed.
Because a semi involved in a commercial crash may also fall under federal trucking rules, investigators frequently pull the truck's inspection and maintenance records, the driver's hours-of-service logs, and any onboard data separately from the local police report. That paperwork alone can take weeks to request and review, which is part of why a final determination of fault rarely comes quickly.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 153,452 people were injured in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2023. When a case involves a fatality, agencies generally hold names until next of kin have been notified, and toxicology results, when ordered, are processed by a lab on its own schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully beneath a truck or trailer, often because the trailer sits higher off the ground than a car's crumple zone is built to absorb.
What are a truck's blind spots, and why do they matter?
Semi-trucks have large blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer, and close in front of the cab. A car that lingers in one of these zones may not be visible to the driver at all.
What typically causes large-truck crashes?
Common factors include driver fatigue, following too closely, speed mismatches between vehicles, mechanical issues such as brake failure, and reduced visibility at intersections or during lane changes.
How can drivers share the road safely with semis?
Giving trucks extra following distance, avoiding lingering beside a trailer, and anticipating wide turns at intersections can reduce close calls with large vehicles.
What to Do After a Truck Crash in Winter Haven, FL
If you're involved in or witness a crash like this one, call 911 right away and move to a safe area if you're able to. Even if you feel fine, it's worth getting checked by a medical provider, since some injuries from a collision with a large vehicle aren't obvious right away.
Take photos of the scene if it's safe to do so, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses nearby. Request a copy of the official crash report once it's available, and keep any paperwork from medical visits tied to the crash. Giving yourself time to process what happened is just as important as handling the practical steps.
