Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigation a fatal car crash involving an overturned semi in the area of Highway 640 and Noralyn Mine Road.
Accroding to PCSO, at approximately 7:00 a.m., 56-year-old Gary Elliott of Mulberry was traveling west on CR640 in a 2004 Freightliner semi with 2004 Great Dane trailer attached. He was hauling sod.
Police say as Elliott approached the curve approximately a half mile east of Noralyn Mine Road the semi began to go off the road. Elliott attempted to correct but lost control of the semi. As a result, the semi and trailer rolled over landing upside down and sliding on the grass shoulder of the roadway. The cab collapsed as it slid. Elliott died at the scene.
Based on the interviews, and the evidence at the scene it appears that speed may be a factor in the incident. Elliott was not wearing his seat belt at the time of the crash.
The owner of the semi is Plants by Prophit LLC in Indian Lake Estates.
County Road 640 was closed between Noralyn Mine Road and Old Homeland Road for approximately five hours before being reopened.
The crash is still under investigation.
