MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 3/7/2024: The Florida Highway Patrol has provided more information regarding a serious accident involving a Marion County Fire Rescue ambulance.
The accident happened Tuesday morning on County Road (CR) 484.
How the crash happened
Troopers say the 17-year-old driver of a 2009 Buick Lucerne was traveling west on CR 484 and a 2018 Toyota was traveling east with the ambulance behind it.
FHP says the 17-year-old from Ocala traveled off the curved roadway onto the north shoulder, overcorrected and veered across the center line clipping the left side of the Toyota which was being driven by a 22-year-old from Summerfield.
Troopers say the ambulance driver, a 29-year-old from Dunnellon, tried to avoid the crash by going onto the south shoulder. That’s when they say it collided head-on with the Buick.
All drivers and a 27-year-old firefighter from Dunnellon who was a passenger in the ambulance were transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
FHP issued a ticket to the 17-year-old for failure to drive within a single lane.
ORIGINAL, 3/5/2024: An ambulance from Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) was involved in a head-on crash in Marion County Tuesday morning.
MCFR says the ambulance collided with a red vehicle in the vicinity of Southwest 83rd Avenue Road and Southwest Highway 484 around 8:55 a.m. while responding to a non-emergency to medical call.
MCFR says the crew radioed into dispatch to advise there were injuries at the scene.
When fellow crew members arrived around 9:01 a.m., they say they found the driver of the red Buick Lucerne trapped inside. The fire department says crew members immediately declared the driver as a trauma alert and began the extrication process.
|TRENDING: How a calf ended up getting a ride in a fire truck | PHOTOS
Around 9:20 a.m., they were able to remove the driver from the vehicle and they were transported to a local trauma hospital, according to MCFR.
“We extend our thoughts and prayers to the driver,” said MCFR Fire Chief James Banta. “Our priority is the well-being and safety of everyone involved, and our hearts go out to the driver and their family during this challenging time.”
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
“We are cooperating fully with their investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate event,” said Chief Banta. “Safety is our utmost priority, and we are dedicated to taking all necessary measures to prevent such incidents in the future.”