Crime & Public Safety
Ocala officer response under internal review after deadly Maricamp Road crash
Ocala police have opened an internal affairs probe into an officer’s conduct connected to a fatal crash at the intersection of Southeast Maricamp Road and 36th Avenue that died two people on Tuesday morning. The department announced the investigation after body-worn camera video showed a prior encounter between officers and the driver of a minivan involved in the collision.
According to police, officers previously spoke with two men in the minivan; the lead officer did not check the driver for possible impairment and allowed the men to leave. Body camera audio included the line, “It was my birthday today, and he drank a little bit more than he was supposed to drink, and that’s all it was. You fine with him taking you home? Yea, he’s fine. You’re not going to argue. We’re chilling. No crime.” Shortly after that interaction, the pair’s minivan collided with an SUV, death a 51-year-old woman and her 31-year-old son at the scene and leaving the minivan driver in critical condition, while the younger brother sustained only minor injuries.
Chief Michael Balken publicly announced the internal affairs review and said it focuses on the lead officer’s decision-making. Balken said no criminal charges will be filed against the officer at this time but that the officer could face termination; he also said he met with the victims’ family. The investigation is ongoing and being handled by Ocala Police Department internal affairs.
The facts above are drawn from the department’s account, officer body camera excerpts, and the agency’s statements about the crash and subsequent personnel review.
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