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Highlands Today

Sebring Infant Dies In Polk County Accident

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By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: January 6, 2009

SEBRING - A 6-month-old Sebring baby was killed and four others, also from Sebring, were seriously injured after a two-vehicle accident Sunday evening in Polk County.

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

Mitchell Andrew Hilkemeyer, 33, of Montgomery City, Mo., was northbound on U.S. 27, and reportedly failed to stop at a stoplight at the intersection, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The 2002 Dodge pickup then struck the 1999 Chevrolet four-door, which Nicole J. Pounds, 34, of 1223 Citrus Terrace Drive, Sebring, was driving. 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.

Six-month-old Jayla Lee, who is believed to be Pounds' baby, died on the scene. The infant was in a child seat. A birth announcement that ran in the July 9 issue of Highlands Today said Lee was Pounds' child.

The mother was critically injured in the accident. Three other passengers - Harreit McClennon, 53, Isaiah Wiggins, 7, and Passion McClennon, 10 months, all of Sebring - each suffered serious injuries, according to information from the FHP.

Both Harreit McClennon and Wiggins were treated and released from Florida Hospital Heartland Division, according to hospital staff. Passion McClennon was also discharged Monday from Tampa General Hospital.

Details on Pounds' status were uncertain at press time Monday. An FHP press release indicated that Pounds was sent to Lakeland Regional Medical Center. On Monday, hospital representatives said she was not listed as a patient.

Hilkemeyer was not injured in the accident.

Three female neighbors of Pounds, who wished to be identified simply as her "Citrus Terrace Family," described her as a "caring person" who always made sure her child was secured inside the car when they went out.

Lee was reportedly in a child seat in the left rear side, which was the side struck during the accident, according to the FHP.

"The person she is, why did this happen to her?" asked one of Pounds' neighbors Monday.

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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