A deadly Tuesday on Marion County roads: Two fatalities in less than an hour before dawn

Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
·2 min read

Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to two traffic deaths in less than an hour early Tuesday on opposite ends of Marion County.

The fatalities involved a bicycle rider in Fort McCoy and a single-vehicle crash in Ocala.

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Crash site: County Road 316

In the first case, FHP officials said a 38-year-old woman from Salt Springs was riding a bicycle westbound on County Road 316.

A Florida Highway Patrol cruiser
A Florida Highway Patrol cruiser

A pickup truck, driven by a 22-year-old man from Fort McCoy, also was westbound on the same roadway.

Troopers said the bicycle was hit by the pickup, and the bike rider died. The crash occurred in the 15200 block of East CR 316 in Fort McCoy.

Marion County Fire Rescue officials said they were assigned the call at 4:32 a.m. and arrived at 4:49 a.m. The woman was pronounced deceased at 4:54 a.m.

Troopers said the area where the crash occurred was foggy and dark. The victim's bicycle had no lights, officials said.

Second crash site: Ocala

As troopers were investigating the Fort McCoy death, they were notified about another crash miles away in Ocala.

Equipment used by FHP at crash sites.
Equipment used by FHP at crash sites.

In that case, FHP officials said a 74-year-old man from Ocala was driving an SUV south on Southeast 58th Avenue (Baseline Road), approaching 92nd Place Road.

Troopers said the SUV traveled onto the center grass median and continued south through the intersection. The vehicle continued southbound in the northbound lanes on Baseline. It then veered off the roadway and onto the east grassy shoulder.

The SUV then struck a barbed wire fence and later stopped in a field east of the roadway.

The elderly man was taken to AdventHealth Belleview ER, where he was pronounced deceased. The investigation is ongoing. Troopers said it appears the victim may have experienced a medical episode before the crash.

Troopers said they were dispatched to the crash at 5:06 a.m. and arrived at 5:26 a.m.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Before dawn Tuesday, two people died on Marion County, Florida roads