SEBRING, FL : U.S.N.G. soldier dies in convoy wreck on Friday, January, 19th 2018

A Florida National Guard unit lost a member Friday afternoon in a rear-end wreck while riding northbound through Sebring on U.S. 27.

Sebring Police confirmed at least one fatality from a chain-reaction rear-end wreck that occurred at Hammock Road between three heavy trucks in a convoy. The impact killed the driver of the rear truck and trapped the passenger, who had to be freed by Sebring Fire Department crews. At least three others had injuries, Sebring Police reported.

Police Lt. Curtis Hart did not have names nor could he confirm the unit, other than to say it was a Florida National Guard unit out of Miami. Markings on vehicles read “FL NG IBCT 53BSB,” consistent with the Infantry Brigade Combat Team 53rd Brigade Support Battalion.

The wreck occurred at 12:58 p.m. as the northbound convoy, estimated at 13 vehicles, approached Hammock Road. Three four-axle Oshkosh Palletized Load System (PLS) Heavy High Mobility Trucks were near the front of the convoy.

According to preliminary investigation by Sebring Police, the rear-most vehicle failed to stop in time at a red light and collided with the middle vehicle, shoving that vehicle into a “water buffalo” mobile water tank being pulled by the first truck.

The driver of the third vehicle was killed, and the passenger had to be extricated with serious injuries, police reported. Three others were taken to local hospitals.

Hart said Friday afternoon he hoped to have more information after the department’s traffic homicide investigation team finished its investigation, expected to take five hours or more. Meanwhile, police diverted northbound traffic onto Golfview Road, through Westminster Road, Lakewood Road and Hammock Road to continue north on U.S. 27.

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U.S.N.G. soldier dies in convoy wreck