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Highlands Today

BREAKING NEWS: Sebring Infant Dies In Polk County Accident

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Brad Dickerson

Published: January 5, 2009

POLK COUNTY - A 6-month-old Sebring child died as the result of a two-vehicle accident Sunday in Polk County.

The crash happened just after 5 p.m., at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Scenic Highway. A 2002

Dodge pickup, driven by Mitchell Andrew Hilkemeyer, 33, of Montgomery City, Mo., was northbound on U.S. 27. The driver allegedly failed to stop at a stoplight at the intersection and proceeded through, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The pickup then struck a 1999 Chevrolet four-door, driven by Nicole J. Pounds, 34, also of Sebring.

Pounds was westbound on Scenic Highway and tried to make a left turn onto U.S. 27 from the traffic signal, which was green for her, the FHP said.

Jayla Lee, six months old, was a passenger in Pounds' vehicle. The infant was seated in a child restraint and died at the scene from injuries sustained in the crash.

Pounds was critically injured in the accident. Three other passengers – Harriet McClennon, 53, Isaiah Wiggins, 7, and Passion McClennon, 10 months, all of Sebring – each suffered serious injuries, according to an FHP press release.

The crash remains under investigation and details regarding the incident are subject to change, the FHP said.

Highlands Today reporter Brad Dickerson can be reached at (863) 386-5838 or bdickerson@highlandstoday.com

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