On Sunday, October 30, 2022, at approximately 9:50 p.m., officers responded to a traffic crash near US 92 and Holly Road. Prior to the crash, a 2004 Honda Accord was traveling eastbound on US 92 in the inside lane of travel. As the Honda exited the curves of the roadway, the driver suddenly noticed a pedestrian walking in the roadway. The driver of the Honda attempted to avoid hitting the pedestrian but was unsuccessful. The driver immediately stopped and remained at the scene. The pedestrian was in an area not marked for pedestrian traffic.
The Lakeland Police Department Patrol Unit, Polk County Fire Rescue, and the Lakeland Fire Department arrived on the scene and began life-saving measures. The pedestrian, 54-year-old Damon Johnson, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health, where medical professionals declared him deceased a short time later.
Members of the Traffic Homicide Unit responded to the scene and took over the investigation. The roadway was shut down for approximately two and a half hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
If anyone has any additional information regarding the crash, please contact investigating Officer Tyler Anderson at [email protected].
The pedestrian was identified as:
Damon Johnson
Age: 54
Lakeland, FL
The Honda operator was identified as:
Eliezer Crespo
Age: 26
Lakeland, FL