Two women were killed in a four-vehicle crash on Kathleen Road in Lakeland, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say speeding caused the collision.
Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the tragic multi-vehicle crash on Kathleen Road in Lakeland on November 29, 2025. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, four vehicles were involved in the collision near Nick and Moe’s gas station at 4410 Kathleen Road, and two women sadly lost their lives.
Authorities say the crash happened around 5:47 p.m. when a 2024 Nissan driven by 23-year-old Rylee Hill of Fort Meade failed to negotiate a curve on Kathleen Road. The Nissan reportedly crossed the center grass median, went airborne into the oncoming lanes, and struck multiple vehicles.
One of those vehicles was a 2024 Audi SUV with several family members inside, including 79-year-old Annette Zalner of Lakeland, who tragically passed away at the scene. Hill also died at the scene. Other drivers and passengers, including Emily Placeres and Brock Hiltner, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that excessive speed caused the Kathleen Road collision that killed two women.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office investigators believe excessive speed played a major role in the crash. Kathleen Road was shut down for about six hours while the Traffic Homicide Unit investigated.
At Armando Personal Injury Law, we extend our deepest condolences to the families involved. While no blog can soften this kind of loss, we can help explain what legal options may be available after a catastrophic crash like this in Lakeland or anywhere in Polk County.
What We Know About the Lakeland Kathleen Road Crash
Based on reports from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and local news outlets, preliminary information indicates:
- A 2024 Nissan, driven by 23-year-old Rylee Hill, was traveling along a curve on Kathleen Road.
- The Nissan failed to negotiate the curve, crossed the center grass median, and went airborne into oncoming traffic.
- The Nissan first struck the front of a 2024 Kia, driven by 48-year-old Emily Placeres of Lakeland.
- It then hit a 2021 Dodge Ram truck, driven by 53-year-old Chad Hiltner of Lakeland.
- Continuing west, the Nissan finally collided head-on with a 2024 Audi SUV driven by 25-year-old Brock Hiltner of Michigan. His passenger, 79-year-old Annette Zalner (Chad’s mother, Brock’s grandmother), suffered fatal injuries.
- Hill and Zalner were both pronounced dead at the scene.
- Placeres and Brock Hiltner suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Another Audi passenger was also transported for treatment. Chad Hiltner was not injured.
- Investigators suspect excessive speed by the Nissan as a major factor, and the investigation remains ongoing.
When a vehicle crosses a median and enters oncoming traffic, the physics of the crash, number of impacts, and amount of debris can make it very difficult for other drivers to escape harm—even when they are doing nothing wrong.
A deadly multi-vehicle crash on Kathleen Road in Lakeland left two women dead and several others injured.
When Speed and Loss of Control Lead to Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Crashes like this highlight how quickly speeding and loss of control can turn an ordinary drive into a life-changing tragedy. On a busy road such as Kathleen Road, one mistake—especially at high speed—can create a chain reaction involving multiple vehicles and families who never had a chance to react.
Common issues that arise in high-speed, multi-vehicle crashes include:
- Disputed responsibility for each impact
- Questions about whether road design, visibility, or signage played a role
- Complex insurance coverage involving multiple policies and vehicles
- Serious or fatal injuries requiring long-term medical care or financial support
In many cases, law enforcement will complete a full traffic homicide investigation, but their conclusions don’t always answer every question grieving families or injured survivors may have.
Legal Options for Families After a Fatal Crash in Polk County
After a deadly crash like the Kathleen Road collision, families may have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Florida law. A wrongful death case can potentially help surviving family members seek compensation for things like:
- Final medical expenses
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of companionship and guidance
- Emotional pain and suffering in certain circumstances
In multi-vehicle cases, it can be especially important to have an attorney who can:
- Review police reports and witness statements
- Obtain traffic camera footage, surveillance videos, or dashcam recordings if they exist
- Analyze vehicle damage and crash reconstruction reports
- Identify all potentially responsible parties and insurance policies
Even when law enforcement suspects one driver of speeding or losing control, it may still be necessary to independently verify what happened and how insurance coverage applies.
What Injured Survivors Should Do After a Serious Crash
If you or a loved one were seriously hurt in a crash like this one in Lakeland, it’s important to protect both your health and your legal rights:
- Get immediate medical care. Even if injuries seem minor at first, some conditions don’t show symptoms right away.
- Follow your treatment plan. Keep all appointments, follow doctors’ orders, and document how the injuries affect your daily life.
- Save all paperwork. Hold onto medical records, bills, pay stubs showing lost income, and repair or total loss estimates.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to other drivers’ insurance companies. Adjusters may try to get you to say something that shifts blame or reduces the value of your claim.
- Speak with a car accident attorney experienced in serious and fatal crashes. A lawyer can step in quickly to gather evidence and handle communications with insurance companies on your behalf.
Lakeland Fatal Crash & Wrongful Death FAQ
Who can file a wrongful death claim after a fatal car accident in Florida?
Under Florida law, a wrongful death claim is filed by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate, on behalf of eligible surviving family members. These typically include a surviving spouse, children, parents, and, in some cases, other relatives who depended on the person for support. The personal representative is usually named in the person’s will or is appointed by the court if there is no will.
How long do families have to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a crash like this?
In most cases, Florida gives families two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Missing this deadline can mean losing the right to pursue compensation in court, although there are some limited exceptions in special situations (for example, certain medical malpractice or government cases). Because evidence fades quickly, it’s important to speak with a wrongful death attorney as soon as possible.
What compensation may be available in a Florida wrongful death case?
While every case is different, a wrongful death claim may seek compensation for:
- Final medical expenses related to the crash
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of the deceased person’s income and benefits
- Loss of companionship, guidance, and support for close family members
- Mental and emotional pain and suffering in certain circumstances
An attorney can evaluate the specific facts, insurance coverage, and impact on your family to estimate potential damages.
Can there still be a claim if the driver who caused the crash also died?
Yes. Even if the at-fault driver is killed in the collision, their estate and any applicable insurance policies may still be responsible for the harm caused. Families can often pursue a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company and, in some cases, their own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. A lawyer can help identify all possible sources of recovery.
Do we really need a lawyer after a fatal crash like the Kathleen Road collision?
You’re not legally required to hire an attorney, but fatal and serious multi-vehicle crashes are often complex, emotional, and heavily disputed. A Florida car accident and wrongful death lawyer can:
- Investigate the crash independently
- Work with accident reconstruction experts
- Deal with multiple insurance companies
- Handle deadlines and legal procedures
- Fight for full compensation while your family focuses on grieving and healing
How Armando Personal Injury Law Helps Families After Catastrophic Crashes
At Armando Personal Injury Law, we represent victims of serious car crashes and their families throughout Tampa Bay, Lakeland, Polk County, and across Central Florida. In complex cases like this Lakeland crash, our legal team can:
- Conduct a thorough independent investigation into the crash
- Work with accident reconstruction experts when needed
- Identify all potential insurance sources for compensation
- Handle negotiations with insurers so families can focus on healing
- File a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit when necessary to pursue justice
We know that no amount of compensation can truly make up for the loss of a loved one or the trauma of a serious crash. However, holding negligent parties accountable and securing financial support can help families move forward with stability and dignity.
Contact a Florida Car Accident Lawyer After a Serious Crash in Lakeland
If you lost a loved one or were seriously injured in a crash like the Kathleen Road collision in Lakeland, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone.
Armando Personal Injury Law offers free consultations to families and injured victims across Polk County and Central Florida. We can review what happened, explain your legal options, and fight for the accountability and compensation you deserve.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
To talk with a Florida car accident lawyer about a serious crash in Lakeland, call our office or contact us online today.