Two Florida Highway Patrol troopers and another motorist were injured Monday night in a possible alcohol-related crash on Interstate 75 between Belleview and Ocala.
Troopers Brett Detweiler, 50, of Morriston, and Justin Loney, 21, of Ocala, received minor injuries in the 9:32 p.m. crash and were transported to West Marion Community Hospital.
The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. when Feston Senganidzojasi, 38, of Fargo, N.D., was traveling north on I-75 near Mile Marker 346 in a 2002 Oldsmobile Alero. He veered to the left of the roadway onto the paved emergency lane and slammed into the left rear section of the FHP cruiser, a 2014 Dodge Charger, and hit the guardrail twice before coming to rest, an FHP report states.
Senganidzojasi was critically injured and taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center. All three of those involved in the crash were wearing seat belts and both vehicles were destroyed.
The investigation is continuing and charges against Senganidzojasi are pending.
Marion County sheriff’s deputies also responded to the crash, which forced the closure of all three northbound lanes of the interstate. Traffic was diverted at County Road 484 in Belleview for several hours.