2 die when car goes airborne, strikes tree in Winter Haven, Sheriff's Office says

WINTER HAVEN — Two people died Thursday when their car hit a driveway embankment and went airborne for 60 feet before hitting a tree, the Sheriff's Office said.

According to witnesses, 58-year-old Edwin Gonzalez of Puerto Rico was driving a white two-door Nissan southbound on Buckeye Loop Road in unincorporated Winter Haven at high speed.

Officials said the Nissan began to fishtail and Gonzales lost control of the car. He hit a driveway embankment, causing the Nissan to launch into the air, traveling 60 feet before hitting a tree near the 1400 block.

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The Polk County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to the crash about 2 p.m. to find Gonzalez and his passenger, 35-year-old Pedro Gonzales Nunez II of Winter Haven, dead at the scene.

They were both wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, officials said in a release.

Buckeye Loop Road was closed in both directions in the area of the crash for three hours during the ongoing investigation.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: 2 die when car goes airborne, strikes tree, Sheriff's Office says