Man killed in U.S. 441/27 crash had earlier been chased by Lady Lake police

Frank Stanfield
·2 min read

FRUITLAND PARK – The driver who died Saturday in a crash on U.S. 27/441 “had been previously fleeing from the Lady Lake Police Department,” the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed Sunday.

“Due to its recklessness and speed, Lady Lake PD lost sight of vehicle 1,” the patrol said in a press release.

The vehicle was a black Hyundai Elantra driven by a 35-year-old man from Orlando. The man's name had not been released as of early Sunday afternoon.

The original story: One person killed, three others injured in vehicle crash in Fruitland Park

Crash on Feb. 24: Two Ocala residents killed in crash on Florida's Turnpike in Lake County

“We were advised that the subject had attempted to run down a police officer at one point,” FHP Lt. Channing Taylor told the Daily Commercial. “The subject appears not to be licensed.”

Two cars were involved in fatal crash on U.S. 27/441 about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Fruitland Park police. FHP is investigating the crash.
Two cars were involved in fatal crash on U.S. 27/441 about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Fruitland Park police. FHP is investigating the crash.

FHP promises to release the man’s name when its report is completed.

Here is what happened on Saturday

The FHP press release states that the driver continued to drive recklessly after police stopped the chase and entered the northbound lanes near the intersection of County Road 466A, where it slammed into a silver Kia Sportage.

The Hyundai driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash turned the Hyundai into a mangled cube of broken glass and metal.

The driver of the Kia, a 43-year-old woman from The Villages, suffered serious injuries. Lake County firefighters had to use saws and hydraulic “Jaws of Life” devices to free her and her two passengers: a 14-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl. They suffered minor injuries.

All three were taken to hospitals by helicopter. The woman was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Two cars were involved in fatal crash on U.S. 27/441 at about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Fruitland Park police.
Two cars were involved in fatal crash on U.S. 27/441 at about 4 p.m. Saturday, according to Fruitland Park police.

The crash, which occurred about 4 p.m., remains under investigation. FHP got the call to handle the investigation at 6:30 p.m. Traffic was diverted for hours.

This is how the case started

Lady Lake Deputy Chief Jason Brough said the incident began with a call from Home Depot between 4 and 5 p.m. involving some type of altercation with security personnel from a man who was trying to steal something from the store.

He had no other information about the incident.

During the same time period Saturday, at 5 p.m., the FHP responded to a fatal crash in Leesburg at Veech Road and Pruitt Street, when a 21-year-old Leesburg man crashed his four-wheel ATV into a pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

“Details have not been provided by the investigator as he was sent to three additional fatal crashes right after this one. The crash is still under investigation,” FHP said.

This article originally appeared on Daily Commercial: Man killed in Fruitland Park chase had been chased by Lady Lake police