March 23, 2026, 1:06 p.m. ET
A Winter Haven woman died in a motorcycle crash on U.S. 17 on March 22, authorities confirmed.
Polk County Sheriffs responded to a two-vehicle accident at U.S. 17 and Avenue O Southwest around 4:10 p.m. on March 22.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, a 2013 Mercedes traveling south attempted a left turn onto Avenue O, colliding with 47-year-old Shena Carty, who was heading north on her 2006 Suzuki motorcycle.
Carty, wearing a helmet, was ejected from her motorcycle and found unresponsive at the scene. Emergency medical personnel transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The Mercedes driver sustained minor injuries and was also taken to the hospital.
The investigation by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing as of March 23.
This incident marks the second fatal motorcycle crash in Polk County over the weekend; a 37-year-old man died on March 21 while passing cars on Polk City Road in Haines City.