Crash claims life of Avon Park teen | Karen Hermsen | Highlands Today
James Allen Lewis, 17, was the driver of this 1988 Chevrolet that collided Sunday with a tractor trailer on Arbuckle Creek Road. Lewis died later at Florida Hospital.
Avon Park – A 17-year-old Avon park boy lost his life Sunday after his car swerved into the oncoming lane and collided with a tractor trailer on Arbuckle Creek Road.
A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report states James Allen Lewis, of 1674 N. Riverdale Road, was taken to Highlands Regional Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
James Lewis was traveling east on Arbuckle Creek Road at 4:15pm when the crash occurred. After colliding with the tractor trailer that was filled with oranges, his car was spun around and landed on the south shoulder of the road. William Lewis was not injured, the report stated. FHP officials said the pair were not related.
James Lewis’ grandmother, Loresa Collins, of Avon Park, said Monday he spent the day with friends in the scrubs off Riverdale Road riding four-wheelers.
“He had a fun day” she said.
Collins said James Lewis had borrowed a friend’s car to drive another friend to work, and was on his way back to the scrubs when the accident happened.
She said the trooper told her at the hospital that they were unsure as to why the collision occurred.
“He said both drivers were following the speed limit,” she said.
James Lewis’ aunt, Corrine Lewis, was also at the hospital.
“He was 5 feet over in the other lane, it was up on a hill and the road was narrow,” she said. “The trooper said he could have dropped a cigarette or messed with the radio.”
James Lewis recently worked with a beekeeper at Avon Park, collecting honey.
The job ended Thursday when the beekeeper left to deliver honey up north.
“He was very generous and outgoing,” Collins said of her nephew. “He had a lot of friends and never said anything bad about anybody.
“He was very independent and wanted to make his own way.”
No citation was issued in the crash.
Friends of James Lewis, who previously attended Avon Park High School, gathered Monday afternoon to honor his memory.
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