A tragic hit-and-run incident in Marion County claimed the life of one individual and left another seriously injured, the Florida Highway Patrol reported. According to ClickOrlando, the collision occurred around 7:30 p.m. last night on SW 27 Circle, just north of SW 137 Loop. The two men, both from Ocala, were attending to a disabled dump truck when an SUV, described as a gray or silver Jeep Cherokee, failed to navigate a curve and struck them.
As per the WFTV report, one of the pedestrians was propelled into another SUV, which was parked and unoccupied at the time, next to the dump truck. The driver involved in the hit-and-run initially stopped, but then fled the scene, and is believed to have continued traveling south on SW 27 Circle before turning onto SW 137 Loop.
The victims were transported to the hospital for their injuries. Unfortunately, a 76-year-old Ocala man was pronounced dead at the hospital, as detailed in the crash report from the FHP, while a 45-year-old man sustained serious injuries.
Authorities are actively searching for the driver of the hit-and-run vehicle. The FHP mentioned that the SUV likely sustained damage to its right front and grille. In an effort to locate the hit-and-run driver, the FHP urges anyone with information regarding the SUV or its driver to contact Corporal Justin Bard at 352-512-6643 or to provide tips anonymously through CrimeStoppers by calling 352-368-STOP (7867).
