LAKE WALES, Fla. — Eleven people were hurt Thursday night in Lake Wales after a crash involving 16 cars and a tractor-trailer, the Polk County Fire Rescue said.
First responders were first sent out to the multiple-car crash at 6:36 p.m. in the area of Highway 27 and Chalet Suzanne Road.
The police department previously explained a Chrysler 200 traveling northbound made a left turn in front of the tractor-trailer, causing a crash between the two. The driver of the tractor-trailer lost control after the crash and crossed the median before colliding into southbound traffic that was stopped at a red light.
Once on scene, fire crews determined there were three trauma alert patients who were taken to the hospital by helicopter. Eight other people needed treatment following the crash, as well.
The number of trauma alert patients ultimately led the crash to be classified as a "Level 2 Multiple Casualty Incident," which required 12 fire units to be on scene.
As a result of the crash, the intersection was closed and stayed that way "until a safe and thorough investigation [was] completed."
The road reopened just before 3 a.m. on Friday.
"Polk County Fire Rescue recently secured a grant in partnership with Jennifer Brandow of the Florida Department of Health (Polk County) to add a mass casualty transport vehicle (bus) to its fleet,” Fire Chief Hezedean A. Smith, D.M, said in a statement. “The vehicle will be beneficial for multiple casualty incidents such as the crash that occurred yesterday.
"The unit will serve to support the region not only for mass casualty incidents but also in other cases where mass transport of patients is needed.”