A two-vehicle crash at an Ocala intersection left a 43-year-old man dead and an elderly man critically injured on Wednesday evening.
The fatal crash occurred at around 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and NW 60th Avenue.
According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, an 81-year-old Ocala man was traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 27 in an SUV when he entered the left turn lane near the intersection of NW 60th Avenue.
At the same time, FHP stated that a 43-year-old Gainesville man was heading eastbound in a sedan on U.S. Highway 27, approaching the same intersection in the inside lane.
The accident occurred when the SUV traveled into the direct path of the sedan while attempting to turn left onto NW 60th Avenue at the intersection. As a result, the front of the sedan crashed into the right side of the SUV.
The sedan’s driver and sole occupant sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The report stated that he was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The elderly driver and sole occupant of the SUV was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital in critical condition.
The crash remains under investigation, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
UPDATE: This story has been updated to reflect that the man driving the sedan sustained fatal injuries.