On Monday, Ocala Fire Rescue (OFR) responded to a serious crash where some of the occupants had been ejected.
The accident happened in the 6100 block of West Highway 40, at 7:24 a.m. OFR Engine 6, Rescues 3 and 4, Battalion Chief 22, and a Safety Officer were dispatched to the call.
According to a press release, when OFR crews arrived at the scene they observed multiple patients on the ground and a vehicle on fire.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident; a brown pick-up truck, a white pick-up truck, and a compact SUV.
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“The brown pick-up truck was occupied by seven individuals – five of which were seated in the bed of the truck and ejected upon impact. The white pick-up truck and compact SUV each held one occupant,” OFR stated in a press release.
Three drivers and six passengers were transported to local hospitals.
The Ocala Police Department has since released more details about the crash.
OPD officials say that seven teens from Tampa were in a brown 1989 Ford pickup truck that had been reported stolen from Dunnellon after their stolen Durango got a flat tire.
Marion County Sheriff’s deputies spotted the truck after it was reported stolen, but say they did not initiate a high-speed pursuit due to the fact that the bed of the truck was occupied by juveniles.
According to OPD, when the driver of the truck, a 14-year-old boy, spotted the patrol car, he allegedly sped away at a high rate of speed. A short time later, the boy lost control of the truck near the 6100 block of West SR 40, near Southwest 60th Avenue and skid into oncoming traffic. The Ford then crashed into two vehicles.
The pickup truck then burst into flames.
Police said cash, weapons, clothes, credit cards, ammunition, and several other miscellaneous items were strewed on the ground following the crash.
According to OPD, the 14-year-old and his 15-year-old passenger were seriously injured.
OPD said of the five other juveniles — ages 11 to 16 — four were injured and one was not.
The two drivers of the other vehicles were treated and released from the hospital.
The juveniles are accused of going on a crime spree in which they committed several auto burglaries in the Fore Ranch area. Some of those items were recovered at the site of the crash.
All seven juveniles are being charged with Grand Theft Auto, Burglary, and Theft.
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