OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A Gainesville Police Department officer and others were injured early this morning when an off-duty GPD SUV rear-ended Marion County school bus on SW 49th Avenue Road in southwest Ocala.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol report, the off-duty officer failed to observe the bus, which was stopped with lights flashing and STOP signs deployed, preparing to pick up students at the intersection of SW 49th Avenue Road and SW 82nd Place Road. The SUV collided with the bus’s rear end at approximately 6:55 a.m. on Friday, October 16, 2026.
“There were 12 students on board, along with the bus driver (age 37) and a bus aide (age 54). One student (age 9), the bus driver, and the bus aide and one student were transported to Advent Hospital Ocala with minor injuries,” the statement read. “The GPD officer, sustained very serious injuries and was transported to HCA Ocala.”
We will update this story as more information becomes available.