The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that a 5-year-old Florida girl passed away on Saturday after being struck by a police pickup truck responding to an emergency in the car she was riding in.
Deputies told FOX 13 that the collision occurred on US 92 and Havendale Boulevard in Auburndale just before 10 p.m.
Authorities said that a deputy from PCSO was engaged in a physical altercation with a suspect on US 92 and Old Winter Haven Road, and a sergeant from the Auburndale Police Department was en route to assist the deputy.
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The APD sergeant was driving a 2020 Silverado pickup truck with a marked east destination on US 92. A blue 2016 Kia sedan traveling north on Havendale Boulevard was stopped at a red light.
Witnesses reported that most traffic stopped when the light turned green in order to give way to an approaching police car with flashing lights and sirens.
The mother of 5-year-old Jalina Anglin was driving the Kia, according to FOX 13. Despite hearing the sirens, she started to drive into the intersection because the car next to her was moving forward, she told PCSO detectives. The Kia moved into the sergeant’s truck’s path before the two collided, according to authorities, who spoke with FOX 13. The girl was riding in the back seat.
Jalina passed away after being brought to a nearby hospital. She had three younger siblings; the family disclosed this to FOX 13. Her mother announced on Facebook that she had passed away from a head injury.
The mother of the girl was brought to a nearby hospital and received treatment for a fractured wrist. According to the police, the APD sergeant was unharmed.
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Although it was reported that both drivers were using seat belts at the time of the collision, authorities are currently looking into the child’s use of a seat belt.
The investigation is still ongoing, but PCSO says no charges are expected.
A request for comment from Fox News Digital was not immediately answered by Auburndale police.
