OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A vehicle crash has led to the death of a 76-year-old Ocala man and has left a 45-year-old-man seriously injured.
The incident took place Oct. 28, at about 7:30 p.m., on the west grass shoulder of SW 27 Circle, when the driver of an SUV failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, leaving the roadway and striking the pedestrians, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The two pedestrians were on the west grass shoulder conducting maintenance on a disabled dump truck that was parked on the west grass shoulder.
As the SUV entered the west grass shoulder, he struck the 45-year-old man with the right side of his vehicle. The SUV then struck the 76-year-old man with the front section of the vehicle, propelling the man south and into an SUV that was parked and unoccupied on the west grass shoulder of SW 27 Circle.
The pedestrians were transported to the hospital where the 76-year-old was pronounced deceased.
The driver of the SUV that struck the pedestrians initially pulled over but then fled the scene of the incident. The vehicle traveled south on SW 27 Circle and turned right onto SW 137 Loop. The hit and run suspect was described by an independent witness as a gray or silver Jeep Cherokee, which should have damage to its right front and grille sections.
Anyone with information should contact FHP Cpl. Justin Bard at (352) 512-6643 or CrimeStoppers.