Disciplinary actions have been taken against the Ocala Police Department officer who was involved in a three-vehicle crash on January 17.
On the day of the crash, OPD stated on its Facebook webpage that, “We are continuing to investigate this crash and if we determine our officer is at fault, then he will be held accountable.”
After a review of the accident by OPD’s Crash Review Board, 30-year-old Officer Isaac Mercer was found to be in violation of the following directive: “Officers shall use due care while operating a department vehicle and shall be held accountable for driving violations which result in accidents.”
The review board labeled the crash as a ‘serious violation, first offense.’ Mercer was suspended without pay for eight hours, and he lost his take-home vehicle privileges for five days.
On January 17 at around 5:15 p.m., Mercer was traveling southbound on SW 23rd Avenue in response to a routine call to assist another officer.
According to OPD, Mercer came to a complete stop at the crossbar before crossing W Silver Springs Boulevard, and the crash occurred as he passed the eastbound lane. His patrol car’s emergency lights and siren were not activated.
According to an eyewitness, Mercer appeared to run the stop sign at the intersection moments before the collision.
Ocala-News received confirmation from OPD that dash cam video footage was recovered from Mercer’s patrol car.
Ocala Fire Rescue crews arrived on scene and observed the patrol car with damage on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides, an SUV with heavy front-end damage, and a minivan with moderate front-end damage.
The crews used hydraulic tools to remove the patrol car’s front doors to extricate Mercer, and he was trauma-alerted to the hospital. He was later released from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
The driver of the SUV was also transported to the hospital.
No serious injuries were reported.