Bartow, FL : Four people killed in fiery 2-vehicle crash in Polk County on Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Four people died in Fort Meade late wednesday after two vehicles hit head-on on westbound U.S. 98.

A passerby happened upon the wreck at about 11:15 p.m. and called 911, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said.

One of the vehicles was already engulfed in flames by the time the passerby arrived.

Investigators did not have an eyewitness to the crash, but said analysis of the scene indicates a 1999 Toyota Four Runner was driving eastbound on U.S. 98.

For some reason, the driver, Christian Bautista, 23, veered into the westbound lanes of the roadway and hit a 2005 Chrysler Pacifica nearly head-on, deputies said. The collision caused the Pacifica to burst into flames.

Bautista was ejected from his vehicle and was later declared dead at the hospital.
The driver of the Chrysler was identified as Jim Alan Bass Jr., 23.

Bass and his two passengers were not able to get out of their vehicle and were pronounced dead at the scene.

Damage done during the fire made it very difficult for investigators to determine the ID of the two passengers. It is likely dental records or DNA will be necessary, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The highway was shut down in both directions for several miles but has since reopened.

Source :

4 killed in fiery 2-vehicle crash in Polk County