A pickup truck driver fleeing from Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies on New Year’s Eve died after he plowed into the front of an office building on East Fort King Street in Ocala.
The deceased was identified only as a male. More details are being withheld pending family notification.
Deputies said they were trying to stop the pickup truck as part of their investigation into a burglary/disturbance in Silver Springs Shores. The call about the burglary/disturbance was received shortly before 11:30 p.m. Sunday
Looking for the truck, a deputy saw a vehicle that matched the description and attempted to stop it around the 2400 block of Maricamp Road.
The driver of the truck fled and the deputy gave chase, the sheriff’s office said. During the pursuit, the truck struck the deputy’s vehicle. The deputy was unable to continue with the pursuit and stopped, officials said.
Continuing to flee, the truck driver eventually ended up on Southeast 22nd Avenue. From there, the truck drove across East Fort King Street, into a business parking lot and slammed into an office building, the sheriff’s office said.
Ocala police officers, who were updated on the chase, searched for the vehicle. Driving along East Fort King Street, an officer noticed a large hole in the front of an office building. As the officer got closer to the location, the official saw the truck in the building close to midnight.
The truck went through the front of the building that houses the Berkshire Hathaway real estate company and EdwardJones investing office at 2161 E. Fort King St.
A red rectangular shaped sign, reading “Dangerous or unsafe do not enter,” was posted on a glass door as officials continued to investigate.
The area where the crash occurred is surrounded by businesses and residential properties.
Law enforcement officials said that judging from skid marks seen in the roadway, it appears the driver tried braking roughly 150 yards before impact. Unable to stop, the vehicle sped into the building. Authorities said speed was factor.
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The incident is being treated as a death investigation, law enforcement officials said.
Contact Austin L. Miller at [email protected]
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