MARION COUNTY, FL – A van carrying special needs passengers was involved in a fatal five-vehicle crash in Marion County on Tuesday afternoon, the Ocala News reported.
The Chevrolet transport van was headed south on U.S. 441 near SE Sunset Harbor Road when the accident occurred just after 3 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol said the van entered the intersection at the same time as an eastbound Dodge Journey, and the vehicles collided. The impact caused the van to hit a Toyota Corolla and a Subaru Outback that were both in the left turn lane of U.S. 441. Meanwhile the Journey crashed into a Nissan Altima that was also in the left turn lane.
A 36-year-old Ocala woman who was a passenger in the van was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, a 53-year-old Ocala woman, another adult and four children who have special needs were hospitalized. No details were provided on the extent of their injuries.