Photo Provided By R. Ohlemacher
Winter Haven, Florida – At approximately 7:45 a.m. yesterday, a Chevy Cobalt, driven by Keri Radnor (DOB 3-7-86) of Winter Haven was traveling on Boys Club Rd. after leaving Garner Elementary School. Radnor entered the eastbound lanes of travel of Havendale Blvd. into the path of a Ford Expedition, driven by Beverly Marieta (DOB 1-6-64) of Winter Haven.
The Expedition impacted the driver’s side of the Cobalt causing the Cobalt to rotate and come to rest in the westbound lanes of Havendale Blvd. The Expedition remained in the eastbound lanes. Marieta (driver of Expedition) and her front seat passenger, Roseta Johnson (DOB 9-11-49) were both transported to Winter Haven Hospital with minor injuries. They have since been released. A third passenger in the Expedition, Tevin Nicholas (DOB 3-11-93) did not require medical attention. All three were wearing seat belts.
A 3 year-old passenger in the Cobalt, Mekhi Brown (Male – DOB 3-13-10) was ejected from the Cobalt and landed in the west bound lane of travel while strapped inside of his car seat. Mekhi Brown is currently in good condition and may be released from the hospital today. An infant passenger, Imani Brown (Female – DOB 2-10-13) was tossed around inside of the vehicle while strapped in a child carrier. At this time Imani remains in critical condition at Arnold Palmer Hospital.
An off-duty Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy was traveling west bound on Havendale and came upon the crash right after it occurred. Deputy Debra Martin saw the car seat in the middle of the roadway and immediately stopped traffic in order to bring the child to safety. A Bond Clinic nurse, Cheryl Kelley, RN of Winter Haven, was also traveling in the same direction and stopped to assist. Deputy Martin went to the aid of the other crash victims inside of the Cobalt and found the infant (Imani) in the back seat unresponsive. The mother had obviously suffered severe injuries, but was responsive. Deputy Martin immediately pulled Imani from the vehicle and began administering CPR.
Auburndale Police Officer John Lynn and Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Ben Kirkpatrick were also traveling in the area when they stopped to assist at the scene. Deputy Kirkpatrick immediately deployed his AED (Automated External Defibrillator) while Deputy Martin continued to assist with the unresponsive child. Ultimately, little Imani regained a faint pulse. Imani and Mekhi were both air lifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando in critical condition. The mother, Keri Radnor, was transported to Lakeland Regional Medical Center as a trauma alert.
At this time, little Imani remains in critical condition; Mekhi is in stable condition; and Keri Radnor is in serious, but stable condition. This crash continues to be under investigation.