Overview

• The collision occurred around 10:40 a.m. at County Road 640 and Mimosa Avenue in Bartow, according to Polk County Fire Rescue.
• The battalion chief was responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens activated when the crash happened.
• All five people hurt were riding in the minivan, and the battalion chief was not injured.
• The injured were transported to local hospitals, including one person treated as a trauma alert patient.
• On-scene reporting described significant vehicle damage and a large emergency response presence, and the crash remains under investigation.