Marion County

June 11, 2025

News: Driver charged with DUI manslaughter in death of e-bike rider in Marion County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – Authorities made an arrest in connection with an alleged drunk driving crash in Marion County that claimed the life of a bicycle rider.

According to the Ocala StarBanner, the incident happened Saturday morning on County Road 25 near Southeast 80th Court shortly before 2 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol determined that a man was riding an electric bike on the westbound shoulder of the roadway. At the same time, the driver of a rented 2025 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling west and hit the bicycle from behind.

The bike rider, a 37-year-old Ocala man, was ejected and suffered fatal injuries. The Chevy driver lost control of the vehicle, which went off the road, struck a utility pole and then a concrete post before overturning.

June 9, 2025

News: Wrong-way collision on U.S. 27 in Marion County leaves 1 driver dead, 1 injured

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

OCALA, FL – A wrong-way crash between two vehicles in Marion County Thursday morning left one of the drivers dead and the other injured, according to WKMG.

An investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol determined that a man was driving west in the eastbound lanes of U.S. 27 in Ocala at about 12:15 a.m. The vehicle collided head-on with an eastbound SUV near NW 95th Avenue Road.

The driver of the first vehicle, a 27-year-old man from Miami, died at the scene. The other driver, a man from Perry, was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. The FHP said both drivers were wearing their seat belts at the time of the fatal wreck.

May 28, 2025

News: Man charged with DUI manslaughter in collision that killed Ocala woman

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – Authorities have announced an arrest in connection with a fatal accident that took place Feb. 1, 2025, in Marion County, WKMG reports.

The incident occurred in the area of County Road 484 and San Pedro Boulevard at about 7 a.m. The Florida Highway Patrol states the driver of a Kia Sorento SUV was heading east on C.R. 484, failed to maintain his lane, crossed over the double yellow painted line, and collided with a westbound Kia Forte sedan head-on.

The driver of the Forte, a 50-year-old woman from Ocala, died after being taken to an area hospital. The Sorento driver, identified as 21-year-old James Carter, was seriously injured. The FHP said that while Carter was at the hospital, he “spontaneously” admitted drinking alcohol beverages before getting behind the wheel, and added that his driver’s license was suspended.

May 15, 2025

News: Man, 22, killed when motorcycle collides with SUV on County Road 475

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol said a collision in Marion County on Wednesday left a motorcycle rider dead, the Ocala StarBanner reported.

The motorcyclist collided with an SUV on County Road 475 near County Road 484 at about 5:10 p.m. The FHP’s investigation indicates that driver of a Subaru Ascent SUV was going south on CR 475 and tried to make a left turn into a private driveway. The vehicle entered the path of a Honda motorcycle that was going north on CR 475, and the bike struck the right rear side of the SUV.

The motorcyclist, a 22-year-old Summerfield man, was ejected from the bike and died at the scene. The SUV driver, a 19-year-old man from Ocala, and his 13-year-old passenger were not injured.

May 2, 2025

News: Ocala man killed when motorcycle collides with pickup truck in Summerfield

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMMERFIELD, FL – A motorcycle rider died following a collision with a pickup truck in Marion County on Wednesday afternoon, reports the Ocala StarBanner.

The incident occurred in the vicinity of County Road 42 and Southeast 89th Terrace in Summerfield just after 3 p.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol states that the driver of a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck was heading east on County Road 42 in the left turn lane and was attempting to make a U-turn at 89th Terrace. The operator of a Harley Davidson motorcycle was going west on County Road 42 in the outside lane and tried to stop.

April 29, 2025

News: Motorcyclist, 74, dies after colliding with SUV at intersection in Marion County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A man was killed Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle was involved in a collision with a vehicle in Marion County, authorities said.

According to Pasco News Online, the crash took place at the intersection of County Road 25 and SE Sunset Harbor Road at about 4:11 p.m.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of an eastbound Hyundai Tucson SUV stopped at the stop sign at that location. As the driver proceeded into the intersection, the SUV was struck on the side by a Harley Davidson motorcycle that was going south on County Road 25.

April 24, 2025

News: State troopers searching for driver in Marion County hit-and-run crash

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A search is underway for the driver involved in a hit-and-run incident in Marion County last week, reports WKMG.

The Florida Highway Patrol released surveillance images of the pickup truck they are looking for. The crash occurred April 18 in the area of State Road 326 and NE Jacksonville Road.

The FHP said the driver of the pickup was going west on S.R. 326 at about 7:25 a.m. at the same time the driver of a sedan was heading east on the roadway. As the sedan went through the intersection with NE Jacksonville Road, the pickup driver made a left turn in front of it, resulting in a collision. The impact then caused the sedan to crash into a parked car.

March 26, 2025

News: Driver sought in Marion County hit-and-run that injured pedestrian

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A search is underway for the driver who struck and injured a pedestrian in Marion County on Monday, March 17.

According to the Ocala Star-Banner, the victim was walking on the shoulder of County Road 42 near Southeast 203rd Avenue in Umatilla when the incident happened at about 2:30 a.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the pedestrian was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle that veered off the road near Southeast 203rd Avenue. The victim, a 27-year-old Ocala man, suffered injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.

March 3, 2025

News: Woman involved in crash after fleeing from Marion County deputy

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A driver is facing charges after crashing her vehicle while fleeing from law enforcement in Marion County last week, according to a WCJB report.

The suspect in the Feb. 24 incident was identified as 33-year-old Nicole Backer, of Ocala. Authorities said she was spotted entering her car and then failing to stop before driving onto Northeast 24th Street. Officials also said she was not wearing a seatbelt.

A Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy began following Backer, who tried to turn onto Northeast 25th Street but swung too wide into the shoulder of the road and was almost hit by another vehicle.

February 28, 2025

News: Man struck, killed by 2 vehicles on US Highway 301 in Citra

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

CITRA, FL – A man died after being hit by two vehicles in northeast Marion County Wednesday morning, the Ocala StarBanner reports.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the pedestrian was walking or standing in a southbound lane of U.S. 301 in Citra at about 5 a.m., and was struck by a semitractor-trailer whose driver did not see him in time.

The pedestrian was thrown across the median into a northbound lane, where he was struck again by a northbound Honda CRV. The victim, a 40-year-old man from Citra, was pronounced dead at the scene.