A 46-year-old Ocala woman was killed, and three other people were injured in a violent crash and rollover at the junction of U.S. 301 and County Road 462 in Sumter County late Sunday, April 5, turning a long-criticized intersection into the scene of yet another tragedy.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a Kia Sportage was traveling east on CR-462 when it entered the path of a southbound Acura MDX. The Acura broadsided the Kia, sending the SUV rolling onto the grass shoulder. One person in the Kia died at the scene, and three others were hurt with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
Troopers responded around 9:07 p.m., and investigators told the Tampa Free Press that the force of the impact sent the Kia flipping multiple times, while the Acura spun into the middle of the U.S. 301 travel lanes. The Kia was carrying a 46-year-old woman from Ocala, who was pronounced dead, and a 36-year-old man from Anthony, who was taken to a hospital with injuries that troopers said were not life-threatening.
Investigators also told the paper that neither person in the Kia was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. Troopers are still working to confirm which of the two occupants was behind the wheel when the vehicles collided.
Intersection Has Been Flagged for Upgrades
Local planners have had their eyes on the U.S. 301 and CR-462 junction for years, identifying it as a corridor in need of safety and capacity improvements. County planning materials describe a planned realignment of CR-462 at U.S. 301, along with new signalization work. The Lake–Sumter Metropolitan Planning Organization’s project lists also highlight U.S. 301 capacity and signal projects as priorities tied to recent state funding, as outlined by the Lake–Sumter MPO. Engineering and design work has been moving forward in recent years, even as traffic has continued to build along the corridor.
What Investigators Say and Next Steps
The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation is ongoing, and troopers are asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has video from the area around the time of the collision to contact FHP.
Official crash reports can be requested through the state’s online crash portal. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notes that reports may take up to 10 days to become available and provides ordering instructions on its website.
This story will be updated as troopers release additional details.
