Ronald Jeanbaptiste, Yanique Pierre Obituary, Death – A tragic incident occurred on Wednesday night involving a family from Massachusetts visiting Lakeland, resulting in the fatality of two adults who were attempting to cross the street. According to police reports, their 7-year-old daughter was nearby but fortunately unharmed. Following the incident, she was placed in the care of relatives.
The Lakeland police have identified the deceased individuals as Ronald Jeanbaptiste, aged 54, and Yanique Pierre, aged 46, both residents of Everett, Massachusetts. They were staying at a hotel located near South Florida Avenue. The accident took place just before 11 p.m. on Wednesday when the couple was using the crosswalk at the intersection of South Florida Avenue and Imperial Boulevard. They were struck by a white Toyota Yaris driven by a 22-year-old woman from Lakeland, as reported by the police.
Officer Stephanie Kerr of the Lakeland Police Department stated, “The crosswalks are very marked and pronounced, and it’s well-lit. It’s a business area, so even though it’s late at night, there can still be pedestrians around.” Both Jeanbaptiste and Pierre succumbed to their injuries at the scene.
Witnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the driver had a green light and remained at the location following the incident. Kerr noted, “If somebody leaves the scene, it is a criminal act, but if you stay at the scene, you can provide an account of your testimony.”
Police confirmed that the driver did not exhibit signs of impairment and was neither cited nor charged with any offense. Nevertheless, authorities emphasized the importance of being vigilant regarding pedestrian safety.
“Pedestrians don’t have any protections,” Kerr remarked. “You never win against a vehicle. With the school year approaching, pedestrian traffic is expected to rise, making it crucial to be attentive to pedestrian activity during this time.”
