POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A man was killed Saturday afternoon when a car hit him and crashed into a motel lobby in Polk County, deputies said.
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According to a news release, the crash happened around 4:20 p.m. at the Economy Inn Suites at 1901 Cypress Gardens Blvd in Winter Haven.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a man was driving a black Ford Focus eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
Deputies said he lost control of the car, went off the road, hit a man that standing outside the motel, and then crashed into the lobby.
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When first responders arrived at the scene, the 33-year-old man hit by the car was pronounced dead, and the driver was injured.
Police identified the driver as a 29-year-old man from Winter Haven.
The man was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.
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Fire crews said the crash severely damaged the motel, but they temporarily stabilized the structure until it can be fully repaired.
Deputies left the scene around 9:20 p.m., and one lane of Cypress Gardens Boulevard was closed for about four hours.
Investigators said the driver may have suffered a medical episode that led to the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.
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