On Friday, November 22, 2019, at approximately 8:34 p.m., a white Ford E250 Cargo Van was traveling northbound on Kathleen Road in the outside lane. As the Ford Van approached the 1200 block of Kathleen Road, a pedestrian, later identified as Collis Holley, darted out into the road. Holley was attempting to cross the roadway from east to west, in an area not marked for pedestrian traffic with little lighting. The driver of the van, Eric Trisch, attempted to turn left to avoid impact but was unsuccessful, and the front right of the Ford struck Holley. Trisch pulled over and came to a stop off the side of the roadway.
Emergency medical professionals from the Lakeland Fire Department and Polk County Fire Rescue arrived on the scene and began assisting officers in providing life-saving measures. Holley was transported to the Lakeland Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries at 11:57 p.m.
Due to the severity of injuries, the members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately three-and-a-half hours while the scene was processed for any follow-up investigation. At this time, the investigation is ongoing.
The operator of the 2012 Ford E250 was identified as:
Eric L Trisch
DOB: 6/17/1989
Lakeland, Florida
The pedestrian was identified as:
Collis V Holley
DOB: 2/9/1956
Lakeland, Florida
Posted by Police Department on 23 Nov 2019