EUSTIS, Florida—A man has died following a crash that shut down U.S. Highway 441 near the Eustis/Tavares line Saturday night.
Only Inside Lake was on scene of the crash at U.S. Highway 441 and Dillard Road that occurred shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday. After receiving a 9-1-1 call, Eustis Police Department arrived at the scene and found two heavily-damaged vehicles, a grey 2001 Jeep SUV and red 2020 Chevrolet Corvette that were approximately 150 feet away from each other. Police are investigating a motorcycle’s possible involvement in the crash, EPD Chief Craig Capri said. The crash shut down U.S. Highway 441 for several hours and Tavares Police Department assisted with traffic control.
The driver of the Jeep, Douglas Johnson, 78, of Ohio, and the driver of the Corvette, Wayne Jean, 33, of Mount Dora, both suffered critical injuries and were airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center. Johnson later died from his injuries; Jean’s last known condition was serious, according to EPD.
Police believe Johnson was traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 441 when he switched into the left turning lane and attempted to make a U-turn to travel southbound. As Johnson attempted the U-turn, he was struck by the Corvette. The Jeep flipped into the air and the Corvette traveled off the roadway, nearly into the parking lot of Kohl’s, 2700 East Burleigh Boulevard.
The impact was so severe, it ripped off the Jeep’s bumper, turned the front wheels in opposite directions and crushed the hood. The Corvette was also heavily damaged; the hood was missing, along with both front tires and the front windshield was caved in. One of the car’s brakes was located west of the car, in the grass, according to the report. Jean, the driver of the Corvette, had to be extricated from the vehicle.
Two witnesses told EPD the Corvette was speeding before the crash and one of them spoke exclusively to Inside Lake.
“I was on (U.S. Highway) 441 headed south,” Carl Simple said. “The Vette was easily doing 80 to 100 miles per hour passing me. They were changing lanes like crazy.” Less than five minutes later, Simple drove up on the crash and started helping out.
The crash remains under investigation.
