Driver impaled and killed in apparent road rage incident in Polk County

A road rage incident this morning left one man dead and part of a building in pieces.

A Nissan Altima and a Dodge Ram were both heading south on U.S. 98 near Lakeland, both weaving in and out of lanes, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

The two cars came to a stop at a traffic light near Cypress Avenue and U.S. 98; the drivers did not exchange words, deputies said.

Then, after the light, the two cars continued to drive recklessly until they collided, sending them off the west side of the road and into a business on the corner of U.S. 98 and Cypress Avenue.

The Altima was pushed into the side of the building, destroying part of it. The driver, 22-year-old Brondon Manning, managed to walk away with only minor injuries.

The Dodge Ram drove through the white fence in front of the building, impaling the driver, 27-year-old Daniel Bagwell, in the chest. Bagwell was rushed to Lakeland Regional Medical Center, but was later pronounced dead, Sheriff Judd said.

Officers found a crystal substance that they believe is methamphetamine in Bagwell's pocket at the time of the accident.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office is encouraging anyone who may have seen the two cars to reach out and help determine exactly what happened.