FORT MEADE, Fla. — A Polk County worker was hit and killed while working to clean up the devastation left behind by Hurricane Milton.
According to the county, 68-year-old Bruce Kinsler, a Bartow maintenance unit service worker, served the county for about a decade. He and three other "push team" crew members from the sheriff's office and fire department were working to clear roads.
County officials say Kinsler was cutting down a fallen tree blocking U.S. 98 at Brooke Road in Fort Meade when he was hit by a car at around 5:45 a.m. Thursday.
The driver was reportedly another Polk County employee coming to join the crew for storm recovery efforts. They reportedly struck the fallen tree, pushing it into Kinsler and another crew member.
The driver's truck continued forward and hit the work crew's parked truck before coming to a stop, deputies say.
Officials say Kinsler was taken to a nearby hospital where he died from his injuries. The driver and other coworker hit were both reportedly treated and released from the hospital.
PCSO says the suspect driver did not see the crew members or their vehicle, noting it was dark and windy at the time. They also say he showed no signs of impairment.
According to the county, Kinsler was wearing personal protective equipment, and all proper roadway safety precautions were taken.
The roadway was closed for around four hours. The investigation is ongoing.
“The tragedy of this incident is compounded by the fact that Bruce Kinsler was killed serving the residents of this county,” said Polk County Commission board chair Bill Braswell. “We ask a lot of the employees as public servants, and they respond to the call. For this to happen is just a tragedy.”
Polk County officials said this is the second roadwork-related fatality in the division in the last 20 years.
