SUV driver dies in single-vehicle crash Thursday morning off Marion County Road 475
SUMMERFIELD — A sport utility vehicle driver was killed early Thursday when the vehicle slammed into a tree and burst into flames.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers on scene said the SUV was southbound on South Magnolia Avenue (County Road 475) and blew through the stop sign at Southeast 145th Street (County Road 475A.) A witness saw this.
The SUV then went off the road, hit a tree, and burst into flames, authorities said.
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SUV was in flames when Marion County Fire Rescue arrived
Marion County Fire Rescue officials said when they arrived at the location, the vehicle was engulfed in flames. Spokesman James Lucas said his agency was assigned the call at 7:02 a.m. and arrived at 7:12 a.m. The driver was pronounced deceased at 7:14 a.m.
Firefighters extricated the driver of the older model Ford Escape, who was trapped in the vehicle.
Although FHP officials believe the driver was a 21-year-old man from Summerfield, they said they want to do additional testing before confirming the victim's identity.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Florida driver dies when Ford SUV slams into tree in south Marion
