Driver Dies After AP Crash
SECOND DRIVER INJURED

By JOE SEELIG

AVON PARK — An Avon Park man reportedly died at Florida Hospital Heartland Division after being involved in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. 27 and North Highlands Boulevard Tuesday night.

According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, about 7:55 p.m. Tuesday, Diomedes M. Pagan, 57, was headed east in a 1998 Chevrolet on North Highlands Boulevard and had stopped at the southbound intersection of U.S. 27.

He failed to see a southbound 2006 Ford pickup truck coming, the report stated.

Pagan pulled into the immediate path of the pickup, driven by James M. Mcanally, 26, also of Avon Park.

The front of the pickup truck smashed into left side of the Chevrolet. Pagan reportedly was not wearing a seat belt.

After the collision, the Chevrolet spun counterclockwise toward the south and came to a stop partially in the outside southbound lane of U.S. 27, pointing south.

The pickup truck also rotated and traveled into the center paved median crossover, where it came to a stop pointing southeast.

Both drivers were taken to Florida Hospital in Sun ‘n Lake of Sebring. Pagan was pronounced dead at 10:10 p.m., the FHP report stated.

Mcanally, who was wearing a seat belt, was listed with minor injuries.

Mcanally was discharged, a Florida Hospital spokeswoman said Wednesday afternoon.

Pagan’s vehicle sustained $6,500 and Macanally’s truck received about $5,000 damage, the report stated. No charges have been filed and none were pending.