Justin Casey Weyburn Obituary, Death – A tragic traffic accident near Lake Wales on Tuesday night resulted in the death of a local motorcyclist. According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the incident occurred just before 10 p.m. on Mammoth Grove Road, near Stokes Road. Emergency crews from PCSO and Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched to the scene following reports of a collision involving a motorcycle and a pickup truck.
The motorcyclist was later identified as 38-year-old Justin Casey Weyburn, a resident of Lake Wales. Authorities say Weyburn was riding his motorcycle eastbound on Mammoth Grove Road when the crash occurred. At the same time, a pickup truck driven by 41-year-old James Keen, Jr., also of Lake Wales, was pulling a boat on a trailer and exiting a private driveway. As Keen attempted to turn onto the road, his vehicle entered the westbound lane. However, the truck then crossed over into the eastbound lane — directly into the path of the oncoming motorcycle.
The resulting impact was a head-on collision between the motorcycle and the pickup truck. Due to the force of the crash, Weyburn sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Authorities noted that Weyburn was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, a detail that may have contributed to the severity of his injuries.
James Keen, the driver of the pickup truck, was not injured in the crash. Investigators on the scene conducted a thorough preliminary examination of the wreckage and collected evidence as part of the standard accident reconstruction process. PCSO has not reported any signs of impairment or reckless driving on the part of either individual involved, but the full details of the crash remain under investigation.
The collision caused the roadway to be closed to traffic for approximately three hours while emergency crews cleared the debris and law enforcement officials examined the scene. Barricades were set up in the area to redirect traffic while the investigation continued late into the night.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not announced any pending charges as of now, pending the results of the ongoing investigation. Authorities have also not confirmed whether any citations will be issued in connection with the incident.
Local residents who live near the crash site said that Mammoth Grove Road can be particularly dangerous at night due to limited street lighting and the rural nature of the area. The added presence of a trailer being towed may have made it more difficult for the truck driver to safely enter the roadway.
Friends and acquaintances of Justin Weyburn expressed shock and sorrow over his sudden passing. Described by those who knew him as kind-hearted and full of life, Weyburn was known around Lake Wales as an avid motorcycle enthusiast. Tributes poured in on social media as word of the accident spread, with many community members offering condolences to Weyburn’s family.
While Florida law does not mandate helmet use for motorcyclists over the age of 21 who carry the required insurance coverage, safety officials continue to emphasize the importance of wearing helmets. According to data from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, helmet use can significantly reduce the risk of fatal head injuries in motorcycle crashes. In light of this most recent tragedy, safety advocates may renew calls for more stringent helmet laws or greater public awareness campaigns to encourage protective gear.
Polk County law enforcement officials urge anyone with additional information about the accident to come forward. Witness statements can often provide critical insights during traffic collision investigations, especially when questions remain about right-of-way violations or vehicle positioning.
This fatal crash adds to a growing list of deadly roadway incidents in Florida this year. As population density and traffic volumes continue to increase across the state, officials encourage drivers and riders alike to exercise heightened caution—particularly at night and on roads without traffic signals or ample lighting.
Authorities have yet to release information about funeral arrangements for Justin Weyburn. Supporters are expected to organize community remembrances or memorial rides to honor his life and passion for motorcycles. For now, the Lake Wales community continues to grieve the loss of one of its own while awaiting more details from law enforcement about how the crash unfolded.
As the investigation proceeds, both the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol remain focused on determining the precise circumstances that led to the collision. Their findings will play a key role in evaluating whether any further legal actions are warranted and in guiding future roadway safety initiatives in the area.