WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — A Winter Haven police officer was injured in a crash early Sunday morning while responding to an armed disturbance call, authorities said.
At about 2:19 am, the Winter Haven Police Department (WHPD) officer was in emergency mode in a marked Chevy Tahoe heading eastbound on Cypress Gardens Boulevard.
The officer was responding to a possible armed disturbance call, WHPD officials said.
At the same time, a 21-year-old Winter Haven man driving a 2019 Honda Accord was traveling south on 1st Street South at a high rate of speed, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
As the officer entered the intersection of 1st Street South near the Chick-fil-A eatery, the Honda slammed into the officer’s driver’s side.
The Honda ran off the roadway and overturned.
Both the officer and the 21-year-old driver of the Honda suffered serious injuries.
The officer was taken by ground to Lakeland Regional Health.
The Honda driver was flown to the hospital, the report stated.
The officer's injuries were non-life-threatening and the current condition of the other driver is unknown, per WHPD.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Charges are pending against the driver of the Honda.
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