A man from Winter Haven, Florida is recovering after a harrowing crash involving his fully restored 1968 Pontiac GTO. The wreck happened just after 9 a.m. on August 17 when the classic muscle car veered off Havendale Boulevard and wrapped around a utility pole - just two blocks from a fire station.

 

Key Points

• Survivor: Driver was alert and talking despite serious injuries.

• The Scene: Firefighters arrived in seconds, cut him free with hydraulic tools.

• The Car: A hand-restored 1968 GTO, now totaled beyond recognition.
   

Witnesses say the driver had been weaving through traffic and speeding as he entered a curve near 16th Street. He lost control, and the crash triggered a two-hour road closure. He was cited for speeding and failing to maintain lane. The man remains in serious but stable condition at Lakeland Regional Health.

 

Twisted remains of a 1968 Pontiac GTO after the crash in Polk County

 

The car, once a gleaming tribute to Detroit steel, is now scrap. It’s a heartbreaking loss for anyone who knows what it takes to bring a GTO back to life.

 

Photo Credit: Winter Haven Public Safety Department

 

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Tags: Winter Haven, Pontiac GTO, Classic Car Crash, Muscle Car, Florida News, GTO Wreck