OPD releases names of man and woman killed in two-vehicle crash on Feb. 20

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

The names of the man and woman who were killed in a two-vehicle crash on Feb. 20 have been released by law enforcement officials.

The deceased are Spencer Holden, 30, and his wife, Samantha, 35, of Ocala. The man's 31st birthday would have been Feb. 23.

Authorities said it's unknown where the Holdens were coming from or going to when the crash happened.

Officers investigate the Feb. 20 fatal crash on Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala.
Officers investigate the Feb. 20 fatal crash on Southeast 36th Avenue in Ocala.

A 17-year-old boy was behind the wheel of the second vehicle, a Mercedes GLC 300 SUV. He was hospitalized and later released. Police officials said the boy attends a local high school. His name was not released.

Investigators assigned to the case are working to determine if there were any contributing factors in the crash, such as speed, alcohol or some type of distraction.

Officers are asking the public for assistance. Anyone with video or knowledge of the crash is asked to contact the Ocala Police Department.

About the crash

Spencer Holden was driving a Mazda and the teen was driving the SUV. Both were southbound in the outside lane of 36th Avenue approaching Southeast 15th Street.

Police officials said this Mercedes GLC 300 was involved in a fiery two-vehicle crash on Tuesday night along SE 36th Avenue where two people were killed and a third person injured.
Police officials said this Mercedes GLC 300 was involved in a fiery two-vehicle crash on Tuesday night along SE 36th Avenue where two people were killed and a third person injured.

Officers said the Mercedes was behind the Mazda, and it struck the back of the car, sending it into a concreate utility pole. The car returned to the roadway and overturned at least once.

The car caught fire and Spencer Holden was ejected. The speed limit on the roadway is 40 mph.

The crash, which occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m., closed the area around the 1500 block of Southeast 36th Avenue until roughly 9 a.m. Feb. 21. Investigators focused their attention on three blocks that were cordoned off by yellow crime scene tape.

Double fatality: Two people killed, a third injured in fiery two-vehicle crash Tuesday night in SE Ocala

Anyone with any information about the crash can call William Joedicke at (352) 369-7110 or Crime Stoppers at (352) 368-STOP.

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

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Feb. 20 crash in SE Ocala: Names of the two people killed released