Mulberry Accident Results in Two Deaths

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Two pickup trucks collided on State Road 37 near the intersection with Radar Road. The accident happened far south of Mulberry, Florida at approximately 5:00 p.m. Terry Townsend lost control of a 2013 Dodge pickup truck that he was driving about a quarter mile south of Radar Road. Townsend was headed northbound at the time of the accident and crossed over into the southbound lane where Henry Roque was driving southbound in 2006 Chevrolet pickup truck.

Roque died in the crash along with is passenger Josefa Jarquin. The other passenger in Roque’s vehicle, Elvia Andrea Contreras, was not wearing a seatbelt and was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. Townsend was also taken to LRHMC with injuries. Two other cars were reported to have had minor property damage but no one was injured.

Driver Lost Control Of Vehicle In Heavy Rain

This accident happened on a long stretch of open, rural highway. People frequently travel very fast along these roads to cover the long distances between destinations. Heavy rain was likely a factor in this collision as heavy storms were present in the area at about the time of the accident.

Aside from going too fast for conditions, Townsend is legally responsible for this crash because he lost control of his vehicle and crossed over the center line into the opposing lane of travel. The people headed southbound would have had very little opportunity to avoid a head-on collision such as this one. The two deaths are wrongful deaths under Florida law and are legally actionable.

With the number of injured or dead in this accident, it is possible that Townsend may not have adequate insurance limits to resolve the claims.