TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Avon Park woman dies after car accident involving wild hog

ADVERTISEMENT

By BRAD DICKERSON

Highlands Today

Published: November 24, 2009

Updated:

FROSTPROOF - An Avon Park woman died Friday night after hitting a wild hog with her SUV and losing control.

Mandi L. Montanez, 22, of 2570 N. Osceola Road, Avon Park, was westbound on Avon Park Cut Off Road near Frostproof when the large hog ran in front of her 2002 Ford Explorer, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The SUV hit the hog, killing it, and caused Montanez to lose control of the vehicle. The Explorer hit an incline and went airborne before starting to roll, the PCSO said. As it rolled, the driver was ejected and killed.

The SUV kept rolling and uprooted two citrus trees.

Montanez was heading to work and on the phone with her husband when the accident happened, according to the PCSO. He went looking for her and found the crash site before emergency personnel arrived.

The sheriff's office said it did not appear the victim was wearing a seat belt.

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT