An Ocala man was charged with driving with a suspended license (third or subsequent offense) after nearly causing an accident with a Marion County sheriff’s deputy.
The deputy was traveling southbound on SE 30th Court, approaching the intersection of SE 56th Street, at around 6:30 p.m. Thursday when a blue Hyundai Elantra failed to yield the right-of-way and entered the southbound traffic lane. The deputy was forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver, John Charles Reda, 58, of 5600 SE 30th Court. Reda provided a Florida identification card and told the deputy he didn’t possess a valid driver’s license and knew he shouldn’t be driving, the report said.
A computer search showed Reda’s license was revoked for numerous offenses dating back to June 2018, and he had previous offenses of driving with a suspended license in Polk and Pinellas counties, according to the report.
Reda was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was still being held Saturday on $2,000 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Sept. 24.