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Highlands Today

FHP: Driver Remains In Critical Condition After Sunday Crash

ACCIDENT CLAIMED THE LIFE OF A 6-MONTH-OLD

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Brad Dickerson

Published: January 6, 2009

SEBRING - Sebring resident Nicole Pounds, 34, remained in critical condition Monday night following a two-vehicle crash Sunday that claimed the life of her 6-month-old child.

Pounds is in intensive care at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Three other passengers – Harriet McClennon, 53, Isaiah Wiggins, 7, and Passion McClennon, 10 months, all of Sebring – were treated at various other hospitals and released.

The patrol said Wiggins is Pounds' other child, while Harriet McClennon was listed as Pounds' boyfriend's mother. Passion McClennon is said to be Harriet's niece.

The crash happened after 5 p.m. Sunday in Polk County, when Pounds' vehicle was struck by a Dodge pickup driven by Mitchell Andrew Hilkemeyer, 33, of Montgomery City, Mo., the patrol said.

Hilkemeyer ran a red light before striking Pounds' car, according to the highway patrol report. Pounds was attempting to make a left-hand turn at U.S. 27 and Scenic Highway using the traffic signal, which was green for her.

Six-month-old Jayla Lee, who was in a car seat, died on the scene.

The crash remains under investigation and a final report will take 45 to 90 days to produce, with any charges that may be filed coming at that time, according to the highway patrol.

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

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