Mark Piburn, 33, struck and killed while walking in Polk County, by car driven by Kassie Schaefer, 24.

Investigators with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office were at the scene of a fatal pedestrian crash Saturday night. A 33-year-old man was killed while walking along Alturas Rd. just south of Citrus Ave. Mark Piburn of Alturas was pronounced dead at the scene. According to a PCSO report Kassie Schaefer of Winter Haven was traveling north in her 2002 Dodge Neon at approximately 9:30 p.m. when she came upon Piburn. She failed to see him in the road and struck him. Schaefer, 24, pulled over immediately and called for help. Emergency responders from Polk County arrived but were unable to revive the victim. Piburn landed in the roadway after impact. The vehicle suffered damage to the roof and windshield, which the deceased penetrated during the crash. Schaefer was wearing her seat belt and the vehicle airbags did not deploy. She was transported to Winter Haven Hospital as a precaution where she was treated and released. Speed, nor driver impairment are a factor; no charges are anticipated as the investigation continues. Alturas Rd. at the State Road 60 intersection was closed for over three hours as deputies conducted their investigation.