Early Tuesday, a mother, father and one of their children were killed in Polk City in a car accident.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just after midnight at State Road 33 and Deen Still Road.
Police say a white 1998 Buick Century, driven by 31-year-old Justin Sims, was heading west on Deen Still Road failed to stop at the stop sign at S.R. 33 and was struck by a gray 1999 Peterbuilt semi-truck, driven by 31-year-old Antonio Garcia of Tampa, heading northbound on CR 33.
In the car with Sims was his wife, 28-year-old Sharonda Sims and their 5-year-old son, Savion Sims. There were also three more children in the back seat: 7-year-old daughter Ariel Sims – airlifted to Arnold Palmer in critical condition, 2-year-old daughter Kitty Sims – airlifted to Arnold Palmer in critical condition, and 3-month-old daughter Arienne Sims – taken by ambulance to LRMC. She is stable with no visible injuries.
The baby was properly restrained in her car seat in the back seat of the car. None of the children, nor the parents, were wearing a seatbelt.
The investigation indicates that the family was shopping at an outlet mall in Orlando and returning home to Dade City when the crash occurred.
The truck driver, Garcia, was wearing his seatbelt and did not suffer any injuries.
The investigation is ongoing, and no charges are pending. Deputies found that the driver of the Buick, Sims, had a suspended driver’s license from September 2013, for failure to pay traffic fines.
All other information previously sent out remains the same.