Crime & Public Safety
Pedestrian struck in Ocala median during filming; investigation ongoing
An 18-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured after being struck in the median of Southwest College Road in Ocala while people in the median were filming a social media haircutting video. The crash occurred near the intersection with 17th Road in the evening; officers responded around 8 p.m. on Sunday to reports of a two-vehicle collision and the struck pedestrian.
According to responding officers, a westbound Chevy Silverado collided with a Lexus SUV that was entering the intersection from the Ocala West Plaza. After the initial vehicle-to-vehicle contact, the Silverado struck the person who had been standing or seated in the median. Officers reported that no other people were hurt at the scene.
Investigating officers say neither driver showed signs of impairment and that they continue to investigate the cause of the crash. Multiple social media posts and video from bystanders indicate the group in the median had been filming a haircut challenge; officers noted the injured person had been sitting in a chair taken from a nearby Raising Cane’s restaurant.
At this time the agency has not released additional findings and the investigation remains open. The account above is based on the responding agency’s initial statements and on scene observations documented by investigators.
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