Three-vehicle crash sends eight to the hospital

Eight people were sent to the hospital early Sunday following a three-vehicle crash on US Highway 17 in Winter Haven.

Four were airlifted to Lakeland Regional Medical Center and four were transported to Winter Haven Hospital just before 2 a.m.

According to a Winter Haven Police Department report a Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by David Guzman was traveling south behind a Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Andrew Estes.

Guzman, a 33-year-old Winter Haven resident, was the only occupant of his vehicle.

Estes, a 27-year-old Winter Haven man, had three passengers in his Tahoe - Byron Grady Matteson, Michael Todd Solomon and Kassia Glisson.

For unknown reasons investigators say Guzman ran into the back of the Tahoe sending it into oncoming traffic from Ave. F. Northwest.

Estes' vehicle struck head-on with a GMC Jimmy driven by 16-year-old Alexis Shumate of Auburndale. The Jimmy rolled over, landing on the passenger side of the vehicle.

There were two passengers' in Shumate's vehicle - Rusty Allen O'Neal Waddle and Ashley Nicole Lawrence.

Guzman, Waddle, 18, Shumate, and Lawrence, 18, suffered serious injuries and were taken to LRMC.

Estes, Mattson, 22, Solomon, 26, and Glisson, 21, were transported to WHH where they were treated for minor injuries and released.

The official cause of the crash is still under investigation. If you have any information about this incident please contact the Winter Haven Police Department at 863-291-5733.