Ocala, Florida — Five West Port High School students — three girls and two boys –were transported to a local hospital on Tuesday, March 3, following a morning accident involving two vehicles.
At approximately 11:05 a.m., the Marion County Public Safety Communications Center received a 911 call about a two-vehicle accident on Southwest 38th Street.
Marion County Fire Rescue units were in the area and arrived on-scene within two minutes.
Upon arrival, rescue workers determined there were a total of eight individuals involved in the crash. Two patients required extrication from a vehicle and were transported along with three others to a local hospital. The other three patients, all adults, were not transported.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the students were driving east on Southwest 38th Street in a 1993 green Honda Accord, and three adults in a black 2014 Chevy Malibu were traveling west.
As the vehicles approached Southwest 38th Street and 67th Avenue, the driver of the Honda — a 16-year-old — turned into the path of the Chevy, at which time the Chevy “T-boned” the Honda.
FHP investigators said that all occupants of the Honda were wearing their seat belts.
The 16-year-old was driving with a learners permit without a licensed driver of at least 21-years-old in the car, which he was cited for. He was also cited for Failure to Yield the Right of Way.
No one in the Chevy was injured.
Investigators found three marijuana cigarettes in a backpack inside the Honda.
All of the teens- ages 16 to 18 — are expected to make a full recovery.
Stay tuned for further details.