MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says they are seeking information regarding two crashes that happened within minutes of each other last month.
Troopers say on March 20, a little after 10 p.m., two separate crashes occurred in the center southbound lane of Interstate 75 near mile-marker 362 just north of Ocala. They are asking for any witnesses of either crash to come forward.
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FHP says the first crash involved a semi-truck that was hit in the rear by a gold van with six occupants. Afterwards, both vehicles stopped in the center lane and the van was unable to move. The semi-truck then moved to the shoulder while the van remained in the center lane, says FHP.
Moments later, troopers say the driver of the semi-truck left the crash scene and continued to travel south on I-75. They say the “driver failed to report the crash or render assistance to the occupants of the van.”
FHP says moments later a sedan ran into the back of the disabled van causing serious injuries to all occupants and caused the death of the 71-eyar-old van driver.
Authorities say one of the passengers in the van recalls capital letters 2-4 inches in height located on the bottom rear portion of the trailer door, showing TELMP or TELPM with an orange or red shaped decal to the right of the lettering.
FHP is asking anyone who witnessed either crash or have any information regarding the semi-truck involved in the first crash to contact them at 800-387-1290. You can also dial *FHP on your cellphone.