Upon arrival, officers found that pedestrian, Johnny Graybeal, 53, had been struck by a 2015 red Hyundai Elantra driven by Patricia D. Sexton. She had been travelling eastbound in the inside lane when Graybeal stepped in front of her vehicle.
A witness told police that Graybeal had been sitting on the sidewalk on the south side of the roadway prior to the crash when he got up and walked into the roadway.
The witness warned Graybeal about the approaching vehicle by shouting s out a warning. Graybeal then looked up and attempted to run the rest of the way across the two lanes to the center median.
Graybeal’s actions put him directly in the path of the oncoming vehicle.
Graybeal was critically injured and trauma alerted to a local hospital.
According to reports, Graybeal was heavily intoxicated and found to have a Blood Alcohol Level of above a .30.
According to police, there were no indications of excessive speed or impairment on the part of the driver.
Graybeal, who is homeless, is well-known to Ocala police for his drinking. He has been arrested 44 times, most of which were for drinking related offenses.
Most that have met him say he is an extremely nice guy.
As of this morning, Graybeal was still listed in critical condition.