News

Jul 15, 2023

Lakeland woman, 9

LAKELAND — A 43-year-old Lakeland woman and her 9-year-old son were killed Wednesday afternoon when their SUV slid off a rural North Lakeland road and flipped into a water-filled ditch. The Polk

LAKELAND — A 43-year-old Lakeland woman and her 9-year-old son were killed Wednesday afternoon when their SUV slid off a rural North Lakeland road and flipped into a water-filled ditch.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a Thursday morning news release that the accident happened about 4:30 p.m. on Tom Costine Road, just west of Beverly Hills Road. Sheriff's deputies responded, along with Polk County Fire Rescue and found Tera Kita, 43, and Brandon Arcadipane, 9, dead at the scene.

US 98 North in LakelandThree teenagers killed in late-night crash

The Sheriff's Office said that, according to the investigation so far, Kita was driving a 2000 Chevrolet S10 Blazer northbound and her rear wheels lost traction as she entered a right-hand curve. The SUV slid off the road, where it rolled upside down into the ditch.

Heavy rain was reported in the area at the time of the crash, and the road was closed for about four hours for the investigation, which remains open.