A Reddick man was killed while driving in Marion County on Saturday evening after he drove off a roadway and collided with a tree, just a few hours before two other individuals were killed in a separate accident on Interstate 75.
The fatal accident took place along NW 219th Street Road, just east of NW 51st Court, at around 5:38 p.m. on Saturday, May 17.
According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, a 26-year-old man was driving a sedan westbound on NW 219th Street Road when he failed to maintain his lane while negotiating a right curve.
As a result, the vehicle veered to the left, rotated clockwise, and exited the roadway onto the south shoulder. While on the shoulder, the vehicle collided with a standing tree on its driver’s side.
The force of the collision caused the vehicle to rotate counter clockwise and come to final rest on the shoulder, facing in a southeasterly direction.
The driver was transported from the scene to UF Health Shands Hospital and was pronounced deceased at approximately 6:18 p.m.
The fatal accident on NW 219th Street Road occurred just a few hours before two other individuals lost their lives in an accident on I-75 in Marion County. During that accident, the vehicle also left the roadway before colliding with a light pole.
Marion County has experienced at least 25 fatalities as a result of vehicular accidents this year.
Last week, two motorcyclists lost their lives in separate accidents that took place less in Marion County than 18 hours apart.