WINTER HAVEN, FL — The Polk County community is mourning the tragic death of 26-year-old Deshawn Smith, who was killed Monday morning in a devastating crash involving a Polk County school bus, a car and a Jeep.
Two people were killed in the crash — a 10th-grade girl who attended Winter Haven High School and 26-year-old Deshawn Smith, who was driving his Jeep to work within the speed limit when the crash occurred.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred when a white Chevrolet Malibu crossed the double yellow center line and collided with a school bus carrying 37 students, the bus driver, and the driver’s 9-year-old child.
The student was identified at a press conference on Tuesday as Adinaluz Prieto Oyola, 16, and the Jeep driver as Deshawn Smith, 26.
Sheriff Grady Judd said the impact caused the bus to lose a tire and forced the energy of the crash across the westbound lanes. The bus was then forced into a Jeep traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in a head-on collision.
Deshawn Smith, 26, of Haines City, was killed. Judd said Smith was on his way to work and had no opportunity to avoid the crash. Investigators said he was on his way to work and was traveling below the speed limit when the bus crossed into his path.
A 23-year-old nursing student driving a white Chevy Malibu was traveling in the opposite direction when she veered across the center line and crashed into the school bus. The collision caused the bus to overturn, leaving emergency crews facing a large-scale rescue operation. Two people died in the crash: 16-year-old 10th-grade student Adinaluz Prieto Oyola and Deshawn Smith, 26.
Of the 35 surviving passengers aboard the school bus, three remain hospitalized as of Tuesday but are expected to make a full recovery.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said at a press conference: “You see how quickly death occurs in a horrible crash.”
Deshawn Smith was an innocent driver — a 26-year-old man simply driving to work, doing everything right, within the speed limit, who in a split second had his life taken by someone else’s mistake. He had no chance to swerve. No chance to brake. No chance to say goodbye.
This Winter Haven School Bus Crash is a tragic reminder of the importance of road safety. One moment of crossing a double yellow line can end two beautiful lives, injure dozens of children, and leave two families planning funerals instead of futures.
Bus driver, Jessica Dye, is being praised for heroics in trying to save the children as the bus overturned into a ditch.
Our most heartfelt and deepest condolences go out to the family, friends, coworkers, and loved ones of Deshawn Smith, and to the family of Adinaluz Prieto Oyola.
Rest in Peace, Deshawn. A hardworking young man gone too soon — you will never be forgotten. ❤️
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