A 5-year-old girl, identified as Jalina Anglin, tragically lost her life following a collision between the vehicle she was in and a police pickup truck in Auburndale, Florida, Saturday night according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The accident occurred just before 10 p.m. at the intersection of US 92 and Havendale Boulevard. An as yet unidentified Auburndale Police Department sergeant, driving a marked 2020 Chevrolet Silverado, was responding to an emergency call to assist a Polk County Sheriff’s Office deputy engaged in a physical altercation with a suspect on US 92 and Old Winter Haven Road.
Witnesses reported that the police truck, with its lights flashing and sirens blaring, was heading east on US 92. At the same time, a blue 2016 Kia sedan, driven by Jalina’s mother, Jer’Manica Anglin, was stopped at a red light on northbound Havendale Boulevard. As the light turned green, most of the traffic remained halted for the approaching police vehicle. However, the Kia proceeded into the intersection, leading to the fatal collision.
Jalina, who was in the back seat of the Kia, was rushed to a local hospital but sadly succumbed to her injuries, with her family citing head trauma as the cause of death. Jalina’s mother sustained a broken wrist in the accident and was also treated at a local hospital. The Auburndale police sergeant involved in the crash was reported to be unharmed.
Authorities are conducting an investigation into the accident, focusing on the circumstances leading up to the collision. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation due to the involvement of the Auburndale sergeant. As of now, no criminal charges are anticipated.
The community is left mourning the loss of a young life in this tragic accident. The incident highlights the inherent risks in emergency response situations and the critical importance of driving safety by both first responders and the public.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, alongside local authorities, continues to investigate the incident to determine all contributing factors. As the investigation progresses, more details are expected to emerge.
