Two killed in single-vehicle crash last month have been identified as married couple
The man and woman who died in a fiery, single-vehicle wreck a few weeks ago have been identified as Andrew and Melissa Babbitt of Silver Springs.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the identities were determined by using dental records. Doctors at the Medical Examiner's Office notified troopers about their findings.
The investigation into the crash continues.
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Crash involving the Babbitts
City of Ocala officials already had announced that Andrew Babbitt, the city's chief building official, was one of the victims. Now it has been confirmed that his wife was the other.
Crash investigators said the Babbitts were in a Nissan Altima that was northbound on County Road 464C the night of Jan. 31. The driver, Andrew Babbitt, failed to negotiate a right curve, and the car left the roadway to the left.
Overcorrecting, the vehicle crossed the roadway and ended up in a tree line, the FHP reported. The car, wedged between two trees, caught fire, trapping the couple.
The Babbitts were pronounced deceased at the scene, which was the 9800 block of CR 464C.
Neighbors were unsuccessful at trying to remove the Babbitts from the car, which was charred after the fire was extinguished by county firefighters.
Andrew 'Andy' John Babbitt
According to their obituaries, published online in the Ocala Star-Banner, Andrew "Andy" John Babbitt was born in Oswego, New York. After he graduated from Freeport High School, Babbitt and his family moved to Ocala in 1985.
Babbitt worked in construction, obtained his certification and was a licensed state building inspector.
He and his wife had an LLC whose purpose is listed as "the development of residential properties."
City officials said Babbitt held various jobs when he was with them for eight years. Some of his jobs include housing and rehabilitation inspector and senior building inspector.
Babbitt was 56 at the time of his death.
"Andy loved his family and loved to share his happiness," according to his obituary.
Melissa Lien Babbitt
Born in Panama City, Melissa Lien Babbitt graduated from Forest High School, her obituary states.
Melissa Babbitt got her finance degree from the University of Central Florida. Finishing college, Babbitt and her mother were partners in a mortgage business. Her obituary states Babbitt opened a bookkeeping business.
The Babbitts were married on Oct. 18, 2008. She was 48 at the time of her death.
"Melissa loved her family and loved life! She is well-known for her extreme kindness and a huge heart for helping and loving others," according to her obituary, which mentions she and her husband lived in Silver Springs.
The couple is survived by their four children, two grandchildren, other relatives and friends.
A funeral service for the Babbitts is scheduled for Thursday.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Victims in single-vehicle crash are identified as married couple
