5-year-old girl dies after crash involving Auburndale police truck: Officials
AUBURNDALE, Fla. - According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, a 5-year-old girl died on Saturday after the car she was riding in was hit by an Auburndale Police Department pickup truck that was responding to an emergency.
Deputies say the crash happened just before 10 p.m. on US 92 (Magnolia Avenue) at the intersection of Havendale Boulevard.
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A sergeant from Auburndale PD was on the way to help a deputy from the PCSO who was involved in a physical altercation with a suspect on US 92 at Old Winter Haven Road, according to authorities.
Courtesy: Polk County Sheriff's Office
Officials say the APD sergeant was headed east on US 92 in a marked 2020 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck. A blue 2016 Kia sedan had been stopped for a red light on northbound Havendale Boulevard but according to witnesses, when the light changed to green for northbound lanes, traffic held for the approaching police truck that had lights and sirens on.
The driver of the Kia told PCSO detectives that she heard the sirens, but began to drive into the intersection because the vehicle next to her moved forward, according to deputies. Authorities say the Kia crossed into the path of the segeant's truck, and the two vehicles collided.
Pictured: Jalina Anglin
Police say the APD sergeant was not injured, but the driver of the Kia was taken to a local hospital where she was treated for a broken wrist. 5-year-old Jalina Anglin had been riding in the back seat and was taken to a local hospital, which is where she died, according to PCSO.
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According to a Facebook post made by Anglin's mother, the child passed away from head trauma.
Pictured: Jalina Anglin
Anglin also had three younger siblings. The family told FOX 13 that, as of Sunday afternoon, they were still trying to figure out a way to share the devastating news with the children.
Officials say both drivers were determined to have been wearing a seat belt, but authorities are still investigating the child's seat belt usage.
Pictured: Jalina Anglin
PCSO says no charged are anticipated, but the investigation is ongoing.