Publix semi truck hits and kills man as he lies in Lakeland road: PCSO

LAKELAND, FL. A man has died after being hit by a truck in Lakeland just after midnight on Monday.

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said a green Freightliner semi-trailer owned by Publix was driven east near Pine Chase Avenue by an employee around 12:30 p.m. The employee had just finished his shift and was returning a truck to the Publix warehouse. .

Police say a truck driver saw a 34-year-old man lying face down in the eastbound lanes of the New Tampa Highway. He tried to dodge the blow, but was unable to do so and hit the victim, who died on the spot.

According to the victim’s family, earlier in the evening he had been at a bar near the scene drinking. Because he was too drunk to ride his motorcycle home, he allegedly told people at the bar that he was going for a walk.

The road was closed for approximately four hours while the investigation continues, which is still ongoing.