Local News
Woman drives straight into lake; dies on scene
Highlands Today
Published: December 23, 2012
AVON PARK A 48-year-old Avon Park woman died early Sunday morning when her car crashed 40 feet into a lake and she was unable to get out, according to Florida Highway Patrol.Published: December 23, 2012
Tonia C. Harmon reportedly died on the scene of the accident at Lake Lelia. Charles L. Staton, 52, Avon Park, who was a passenger, suffered minor injuries in the 12:45 a.m. accident, the FHP adds.
Harmon was traveling east on West Martin Road in her 1998 Nissan Maxima, approaching South Saxon Lane, when she failed to make a curve to the left, the report states.
She continued traveling eastbound toward the Lake Lelia boat ramp, the FHP report states, going down the ramp and into the water.
She traveled about 40 feet out into the water and could not get out of the Nissan when it landed into the lake, the FHP reports.
Staton, who was taken to Florida Hospital Heartland, was wearing a seatbelt, the report states. Harmon was also wearing a seatbelt, the FHP states.