MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE: MCSO says the roadway is clear and traffic has returned to normal.
ORIGINAL: The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is investigating a deadly, early morning wreck involving a Marion County deputy and a bicyclist.
The wreck happened just after 3 a.m. this morning, Wednesday, Oct. 18, on SR 200, just east of SW 80 Avenue.
FHP says a Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputy was driving east on SR 200 in his marked patrol sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the cyclist was also headed east, riding his bike in the right lane.
FHP says there’s no street lighting in the area, it was dark, and the cyclist was not wearing any reflective clothing and the bike didn’t have any lights.
FHP says the 22-year-old deputy did not see the cyclist and hit the back of the bike.
The cyclist who has only been identified as a 63-year-old man from Gainesville died at the scene. His identity is being withheld because his family has not yet been identified.
MCSO says the 7900 block of SR 200 is closed for eastbound traffic. You’re urged to avoid the area and take alternate routes.