LAKELAND — A Lakeland woman suspected of being involved in a fatal car accident has been charged with fleeing from the incident that occurred Friday evening in North Lakeland.
Christina Westdorp, 36, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, a first-degree felony, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. She was being held without bail Saturday at Polk County Jail because she was already on active probation or community control at the time of her arrest, said sheriff's spokesman Brian Bruchey.
Westdorp was traveling north on U.S. 98 at about 6:20 p.m. when her Mitsubishi Galant collided with a Toyota Camry that had entered her path from West Socrum Loop Road, a sheriff’s news release said.
Witnesses told investigators they saw a woman fitting Westdorp’s description exit her car and flee on foot. The impact caused the Toyota to roll over once. The vehicle’s driver, whose name has not been released, died at the scene.
Two passengers in the Toyota were listed in stable condition Saturday morning at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, the release said.
Westdorp admitted to deputies that she had used marijuana and methamphetamines Friday evening, but denied she was involved in the crash, the sheriff’s office said.
Polk Sheriff Grady Judd said a preliminary investigation points to the deceased driver being at fault for the accident, “but because the suspect fled the scene, she is facing a serious felony charge.”
Eric Pera can be reached at eric.pera@theledger.com or 863-802-7528.