Ocala man, 71, dies in crash on I-75 in Florida after van becomes disabled in previous wreck

Van struck from behind by car driven by Oviedo man, FHP says

Florida Highway Patrol cruiser (WJXT)

MARION COUNTY, Fla. – A 71-year-old Ocala man was killed Wednesday night when his van, which was disabled in the center lane of Interstate 75 in Marion County due to a previous wreck, was struck from behind by a car, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The fatal crash happened around 10 p.m. on I-75 south, about 4 miles north of State Road 326.

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The FHP said a 46-year-old Oviedo man was driving his car in the center lane of I-75 and did not observe the van in time, striking the rear of the vehicle.

The van was carrying the 71-year-old driver and five passengers — three women and two men, all in their 70s and from Ocala, troopers said.

All seven people involved in the crash were taken to hospitals, where the driver of the van was pronounced dead, according to an FHP crash report.

The other six crash victims suffered serious injuries, the FHP said.

Southbound lanes of I-75 were closed for hours before reopening.

Details about the crash that left the van disabled have not been released.

An investigation is ongoing.


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Daniel started with WKMG-TV in 2000 and became the digital content manager in 2009. When he's not working on ClickOrlando.com, Daniel likes to head to the beach or find a sporting event nearby.

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