A 45-year-old man is dead after his SUV veered off County Road 314 in Marion County Tuesday evening, struck a utility pole, and knocked down power lines along the roadway. The crash happened around 7:10 p.m. near NE 85th Street, and the driver, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to Voice of South Marion, the man lost control of his SUV and veered off the roadway onto the east grassy shoulder before the vehicle struck a wooden utility pole, bringing down power lines along the east side of the road. The Florida Highway Patrol has not released the man's identity, and his next of kin has been notified, per the same report. As of now, the cause of the loss of control has not been determined.
Investigation Remains Open
The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol, the outlet notes. No further details about the driver or the circumstances leading up to the crash have been made public. As reported by 352today, the victim has been described only as a 45-year-old man, consistent with the fact that FHP has not released his name.
Tuesday's crash was one of several serious wrecks reported recently on roadways in the Marion County area. A separate head-on collision on County Road 314 just east of NE 170th Avenue killed a Pennsylvania woman and injured three others, according to FOX 35 Orlando. Separately, a fatal single-vehicle crash led to the closure of South Highway 314A between Southeast 85th Street and Southeast 90th Street in Ocklawaha, as reported by WFTV.
What Remains Unknown
Florida Highway Patrol investigators have not disclosed what caused the man to lose control of his SUV, and the exact crash location beyond the area near NE 85th Street has not been specified. No information has been released about road closures or how long the downed power lines affected the area. Authorities have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, and additional details may follow as the Florida Highway Patrol continues its work.
