Poor visibility from fog and a near-by controlled burn could have led to three crashes in which a motorcyclist was killed on U.S. 27, early Tuesday morning.
Authorities said, nine vehicles were involved in the crashes which occurred around 5:00 a.m., on U.S. 27, south of Lake Wales and north of Frostproof.
Polk County deputies said, a semi tractor trailor heading southbound on U.S. 27 crossed the center median into northbound lanes and stuck a silver Ford Expedition and a motorcycle.
The motorcyclist, Frederick Wood, 47, of Frostproof, was pronounced dead on the scene. He was not wearing a helmet.
The driver of the Expedition, who has not be named, was airlifted to Lake Regional Medical Center, in critical condition.
A second crash between a Chrysler mini-van, a Toyota RAV 4, a Dodge Charger and a Ford pickup truck, occurred in the northbound lane, just south of the semi. No serious injuries were reported in this crash.
A third crash occurred in the southbound lanes between a Mitsubishi and a Ford Taurus. Both drivers were not injured.
Deputies said, north and southbound lanes of U.S. 27 will be shut down for several more hours, while traffic crash investigators work the scene.
