The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help to identify a man who is believed to have been involved in a street race on State Road 200 over the weekend that led to a crash with serious injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol incident report, two vehicles – a Ford Mustang and 2016 Chevrolet Corvette – were traveling westbound on State Road 200 at around 8:45 a.m. on Saturday, November 18.
FHP stated that both drivers were racing at a high rate of speed, and they made multiple lane changes in a “reckless manner.” When both vehicles were near the intersection of SW 80th Street, the Corvette struck a sedan that was also traveling westbound on State Road 200.
The sedan was occupied by a 78-year-old woman (driver) and 82-year-old man (passenger), both from Ocala. The report did not specify if they sustained any injuries in the crash.
After the initial collision, the Corvette veered off the roadway where it struck a utility pole and then a tree. The driver of the Corvette, a 38-year-old man from Ocala, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash, according to FHP.
FHP stated that the unidentified male driver of the Ford Mustang parked his vehicle behind a local business before briefly checking on the status of the Corvette’s driver. The driver of the Mustang then fled from the scene.
Marion County Fire Rescue units responded to the scene of the crash. The Corvette’s driver sustained serious injures and was rushed to a local hospital as a trauma alert.
In a media release, FHP provided several photos that were obtained of the Ford Mustang’s driver (see below). He is described in the report as a heavy-set white male with arm tattoos, a beard, and he appears to be bald under his ball cap. At the time of the crash, he was wearing a pink t-shirt and gray Under Armour shorts.
FHP stated that the Ford Mustang involved in the street race is potentially a newer 2020-2023 model. The vehicle is also believed to be silver in color with tinted windows.
If you have any information about the driver of the Ford Mustang or the vehicle, the Florida Highway Patrol asks that you call the FHP Communications Center at 1-800-387-1290 or your local Crime Stoppers.