Fatality

Fatal Crash Shuts Down Southbound Lanes of Turnpike Friday Morning

Update 11:54 a.m.: The southbound lanes have been reopened. The on-ramp from U.S. Highway 27 to Florida’s Turnpike remains closed. HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida—A fatal crash has shut down the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike at mile marker 285 in the Howey-in-the Hills area, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, a 2018 Kia Sorrento rear-ended a 2003 Buick Century, killing the woman driving the Buick. The woman had not been identified at press time. The driver of the Kia, a 39-year-old Orlando man, was transported to South Lake Hospital in Clermont with serious injuries. He […]

Fatal Crash Shuts Down Southbound Lanes of Turnpike Friday Morning Read More »

Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / April 21, 2023

Troopers Identify Pedestrian Killed in Sumter County Crash Saturday

SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a pedestrian killed on County Road 470 Saturday night. Troopers were unable to identify the man following the crash and released a photo of his tattoo Sunday. He has now been identified as a 25-year-old Bushnell man, according to FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins. A 42-year-old Bartow woman was driving an SUV westbound on County Road 470, west of County Road 533, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when the man walked into the path of the SUV, Gaskins said in a press release. The man was transported to a local hospital where he died

Troopers Identify Pedestrian Killed in Sumter County Crash Saturday Read More »

Inside Scoop / By / April 3, 2023

Eustis Crash Kills Ohio Man Saturday Night, Mount Dora Man Airlifted

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

Eustis Crash Kills Ohio Man Saturday Night, Mount Dora Man Airlifted Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Tavares / By / April 2, 2023

Troopers Seeking Assistance with Identifying Pedestrian Killed In Sumter County Crash

SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking assistance in identifying a male who was killed on County Road 470 in Sumter County Saturday night. A 42-year-old Bartow woman was driving an SUV westbound on County Road 470, west of County Road 533, around 11:30 p.m. Saturday when a male walked into the path of the SUV, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. The male was struck by the SUV transported to a local hospital where he died from his injuries. The Bartow woman and her passenger, a 42-yeqar-old Haines City man, were not injured. FHP has

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Inside Scoop / By / April 2, 2023

Pedestrian Killed Saturday Night, Southbound Lanes of SR 429 Shut Down

Update: It was later determined the incident occurred in the city limits of Apopka and Apopka Police Department took over the investigation. ORANGE COUNTY, Florida—The southbound lanes of State Road 429 near Plymouth-Sorrento Road are shut down while the Florida Highway Patrol investigates a pedestrian fatality, FHP. Lt. Channing Taylor said. Just before 10:30 p.m. Saturday, the pedestrian was struck by at least one vehicle and possibly multiple vehicles, Taylor said. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased on the scene. No other information was available. MAP: Florida Highway Patrol

Pedestrian Killed Saturday Night, Southbound Lanes of SR 429 Shut Down Read More »

Inside Scoop / By / April 2, 2023

13-year-old Boy Killed in Tragic Bicycle Crash Identified, Family Sets Up Fund for Funeral Expenses

ALTOONA, Florida—The teenage boy tragically killed Thursday afternoon on State Road 19 has been identified on social media by his family. Dylan Kelley, 13, was riding his bicycle southbound on the paved shoulder of State Road 19 when he veered into the path of a Ford F-250 for an unknown reason near Shockley Trail Road and his home in Altoona, shortly after 5 p.m. He was pronounced deceased on the scene, Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Channing Taylor said Thursday. Dylan, described as outgoing and loving, always took care of his family, a post on a gofundme account states. Dylan’s family

13-year-old Boy Killed in Tragic Bicycle Crash Identified, Family Sets Up Fund for Funeral Expenses Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 31, 2023

Teen Riding Bicycle Killed in Altoona Thursday

ALTOONA, Florida—A 13-year-old Altoona boy was killed Thursday afternoon when the bicycle he was riding veered into the path of a truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The boy was riding his bicycle southbound on the paved shoulder of State Road 19 when he veered into the path of a white Ford F-250 also traveling southbound on State Road 19 at 5:10 p.m. near Shockley Trail Road, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The teen was pronounced deceased on the scene. The 33-year-old Oxford man driving the truck was not injured and remained on scene, Taylor

Teen Riding Bicycle Killed in Altoona Thursday Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 30, 2023

FHP Investigating Bicycle Fatality in Altoona, SR 19 Shut Down

ALTOONA, Florida–The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatality that occurred Thursday afternoon. The crash killed a bicyclist, possibly a juvenile, just before 5: 15 p.m. Thursday, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said. State Road 19 is shut down at Shockley Trail Road. This is a developing story.

FHP Investigating Bicycle Fatality in Altoona, SR 19 Shut Down Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 30, 2023

Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year

EUSTIS, Florida—A Umatilla man has been arrested for the April 2022 death of a Sorrento woman who was killed in a motorcycle crash in Eustis less than two weeks after her 28th birthday.   Edgar Wesley Tello, 65, had an alcohol level of .017—more than twice the legal limit at the time of the crash, according to medical records subpoenaed by Eustis Police Department following the crash. On April 24, 2022 Rebekah Jo Towner, 28, was a passenger on 2006 Harley Davidson being controlled by Tello, northbound on Grove Street, when he struck a curb, rode on the grass and

Umatilla Man Arrested for DUI Manslaughter in Death of Sorrento Woman Last Year Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 26, 2023

Early Morning Clermont Head-on Collision Kills Man, 35

CLERMONT, Florida—A Miami Beach man was killed when the SUV he was driving crashed head-on into an RV early Sunday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 35-year-old man was driving a grey Mitsubishi SUV westbound on County Road 474 when he made a wide right turn on State Road 33, and crossed the center line, striking an RV head-on in unincorporated Clermont just after 3 a.m. Sunday, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. The Miami Beach man was pronounced dead on the scene by Lake County Fire Rescue, Taylor said. The driver of the RV,

Early Morning Clermont Head-on Collision Kills Man, 35 Read More »

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 26, 2023

Collision with Golf Cart Kills Villages Bicyclist in Sumter County

SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—An 80-year-old bicyclist was killed after a golf cart turned into his path Friday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The Villages man was riding his bicycle westbound on the Hillsborough Trail shortly before 8:30 a.m. when a golf cart being driven by a 69-year-old woman of Rochester, New York, turned left at the intersection of Ichabod Way, directly in his path. The golf cart driver was unable to see the man due to the glare of the early morning sun, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. The bicyclist struck the golf cart, was

Collision with Golf Cart Kills Villages Bicyclist in Sumter County Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 24, 2023

Leesburg Police Department and U.S. Marshals Search Home Tuesday Morning for Missing Suspect, Nobody Home

LEESBURG, Florida—Leesburg Police Department and the U.S Marshals served a search warrant Tuesday morning in their quest to find a man who left court last week in the middle of his trial, but came up empty, LPD Capt. Joe Iozzi told Inside Lake. LPD and the U.S. Marshals searched the home on East Street, near Dixie Avenue, but nobody was home, Iozzi said.  The scene caused a commotion and garnered several posts on popular Facebook word of mouth groups Tuesday morning. “The (U.S.) Marshals task force acquired a search warrant for the house,” Iozzi said in a text. Zachery Maurice

Leesburg Police Department and U.S. Marshals Search Home Tuesday Morning for Missing Suspect, Nobody Home Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / March 21, 2023

Ocala Woman Killed in Early Morning Leesburg Crash  

LEESBURG, Florida—An Ocala woman was killed early Monday morning when the car she was riding in crashed into a pole, according to Leesburg Police Capt. Joe Iozzi. Around 12:45 a.m. Monday, LPD responded to a single-vehicle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 27 and U.S. Highway 441. Police believe Enock Sulfa, 40, of Ocala was traveling north on U.S. Highway 27 in a 2012 Hyundai when he lost control and struck a power pole, Iozzi said. Sulfa, and his passengers, Larousse Telfort, 64, and Maria Seraphin-Telfort, 66, both of Ocala, were transported to UF Health Leesburg, where Seraphin-Telfort succumbed

Ocala Woman Killed in Early Morning Leesburg Crash   Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / March 20, 2023

Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash, Paisley Woman Airlifted Thursday

PAISLEY, Florida—A Daytona Beach man was killed Thursday afternoon when the motorcycle he was riding drifted into oncoming traffic and struck a car head-on, seriously injuring a Paisley woman, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 72-year-old man was riding a 2007 Harley-Davidson eastbound on County Road 42 west of 4th Street when he entered the westbound lane and struck a 2017 Hyundai Veloster being driven by a 23-year-old woman shortly before 2 p.m. The impact caused the Hyundai to run off the road and strike several trees, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The motorcycle rider

Motorcyclist Killed in Head-On Crash, Paisley Woman Airlifted Thursday Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / March 16, 2023

Man Accused of Killing Family in 2019 DUI Christmas Eve Crash Leaves Trial for Lunch and Never Comes Back, Found Guilty in Absentia

TAVARES, Florida—A man on trial this week for killing three members of the same family on Christmas Eve 2019 is on the run after leaving his trial during a lunch break and never coming back—and was convicted the same day, according to Lake County Clerk of Court docket information. Zachery Maurice Waldo, 36, is accused of killing Christopher Smith, 44, his wife, Jessica Smith,35, and their daughter Hailey Smith, 13, all of Eustis. Their son Hunter, just 11 years old, was the sole survivor in the vehicle his family was riding in. Christopher and Jessica died on the scene of

Man Accused of Killing Family in 2019 DUI Christmas Eve Crash Leaves Trial for Lunch and Never Comes Back, Found Guilty in Absentia Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Mount Dora, Tavares / By / March 15, 2023

FHP: Suspect Fleeing Lady Lake Police Crashes Into SUV, Sends Woman, 2 Teens to the Hospital

FRUITLAND PARK, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol has released information on the crash that killed a suspect and sent three people to the hospital Saturday afternoon. A 35-year-old Orlando man driving a black Hyundai Elantra fled Lady Lake Police Department just after 4 p.m. Saturday and “due to its recklessness and speeds Lady Lake PD lost sight of (the car,) FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said. The Hyundai continued to drive recklessly and began driving southbound in the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 27/441 near 466A in Fruitland Park. The Hyundai struck a silver Kia Sportage being driven by a 43-year-old woman

FHP: Suspect Fleeing Lady Lake Police Crashes Into SUV, Sends Woman, 2 Teens to the Hospital Read More »

Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake / By / February 26, 2023

Man, 21, Killed in ATV Crash

LEESBURG, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating an ATV crash that killed a Leesburg man Saturday afternoon. The 21-year-old man struck a pole while riding an ATV around 5:15 p.m. and was pronounced dead on the scene at Veech Road and Pruitt Street near Leesburg, FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in a press release. It is unknown if the man was riding the ATV on the roadway, or if he was wearing a helmet. There was no other information available at press time because FHP’s traffic homicide investigator was sent to additional fatal crashes that occurred soon after the ATV

Man, 21, Killed in ATV Crash Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By / February 26, 2023

Suspect Flees Lady Lake Police Wrong Way Down U.S. 27, Crashes into Vehicle, Suspect Dead, 3 Airlifted

FRUITLAND Park, Florida—A theft suspect is dead after fleeing from Lady Lake Police Department Saturday afternoon, crashing into an unsuspecting vehicle and sending three people to the hospital, according to Fruitland Park Police Chief Erik Luce.    FPPD was notified that Lady Lake Police Department was pursuing a vehicle into the city limits of Fruitland Park after a LLPD officer stated on the radio a suspect attempted to use their vehicle to run into an officer, Luce said in a press release. The officer was investigating a theft at Home Depot, 871 U.S. Highway 27, Lady Lake when the incident

Suspect Flees Lady Lake Police Wrong Way Down U.S. 27, Crashes into Vehicle, Suspect Dead, 3 Airlifted Read More »

Fruitland Park, Inside Scoop, Lady Lake / By / February 26, 2023

Troopers Investigating Fatal ATV Crash Near Leesburg

LEESBURG, Florida—An ATV crash has killed at least one person Saturday afternoon, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Troopers are investigating the crash at Veech Road and Pruitt Street that occurred around 5:20 p.m., FHP Lt. Channing Taylor said in an email; no other information has been released. There is a roadblock in the area. This is a developing story.

Troopers Investigating Fatal ATV Crash Near Leesburg Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By / February 25, 2023

2 Killed in 6-Vehicle Crash on Turnpike Friday Morning

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Florida—The crash that shut down the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike most of the day Friday resulted in the deaths of two people, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At 7:15 a.m. Friday, a 2020 Toyota Corolla being driven by a 23-year-old Tallahassee woman was traveling southbound on Florida’s Turnpike in the inside lane near mile marker 286 when she failed to stop for traffic ahead. She rear-ended a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox being driven by a 69-year-old Ocala man. The Chevrolet left the roadway and the right rear of the Chevrolet struck the left rear of a 2014 Jeep

2 Killed in 6-Vehicle Crash on Turnpike Friday Morning Read More »

Clermont, Howey-in-the-Hills, Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / February 25, 2023

Pedestrian Killed on CR 473 Near Leesburg Late Thursday Night

LEESBURG, Florida—A 41-year-old Groveland man was killed Thursday night while walking in the southbound lane of County Road 473 near Lake Drive, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Shortly after 10:30 p.m., a 2012 GMC Acadia being driven by a 38-year-old Leesburg man was traveling southbound on County Road 473 when it struck the Groveland man, killing him. The Leesburg man told troopers he did not see the man walking in his lane, Crescenzi said in a press release. The Groveland man was pronounced deceased on the scene and the Leesburg man suffered minor injuries. The crash remains

Pedestrian Killed on CR 473 Near Leesburg Late Thursday Night Read More »

Groveland, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By / February 24, 2023

FHP: Multivehicle Crash Kills 2, Shuts Down Southbound Turnpike Lanes, Delays Expected for Hours

LEESBURG, Florida—Two people are dead following a multivehicle crash that shut down the southbound lanes of Florida’s Turnpike, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Channing Taylor. The crash involves four passenger vehicles and two tractor-trailers and two people were pronounced dead at the scene, Taylor said. Southbound traffic is being diverted at mile marker 289 and travelers should expect heavy traffic and delays for several hours, according to Taylor.

FHP: Multivehicle Crash Kills 2, Shuts Down Southbound Turnpike Lanes, Delays Expected for Hours Read More »

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / February 24, 2023

Polk County Detention Deputy Killed in Groveland Crash Wednesday

GROVELAND, Florida—The young man killed in the head-on crash with a semi on State Road 33 in Groveland Wednesday has been identified as a Polk County detention deputy, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO.) Drake Sawyer Perry, 22, of Ocoee, was driving a 2014 Mazda 3 northbound on State Road 33 near Double H Lane when he veered into the southbound lane and struck a 2014 Volvo semi-truck head-on being driven by a 32-year-old man from Duluth, Georgia at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday. The semi then hit the rear left of a 2018 Hyundai Elantra, being driven by a 34-year-old

Polk County Detention Deputy Killed in Groveland Crash Wednesday Read More »

Groveland, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / February 23, 2023

Leesburg Man Loses Control of SUV on Interstate 75, Dies in Pasco County Crash

PASCO COUNTY, Florida—A Leesburg man was killed and his passenger seriously injured, after he lost control of the SUV he was driving on Interstate 75 Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The 75-year-old man was driving northbound on Interstate 75, near mile marker 279, when he lost control, left the roadway, struck a fence and collided with a tree shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday, FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins said in a press release. The Leesburg man suffered fatal injuries, and his passenger, a 73-year-old woman, also of Leesburg, suffered serious injuries. Her condition was unknown at press time.  

Leesburg Man Loses Control of SUV on Interstate 75, Dies in Pasco County Crash Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / February 20, 2023

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash

De LEON SPRINGS— A Sorrento woman was killed Thursday afternoon after the car she was riding in rear-ended a Ford F-350 on U.S. Highway 17 in Volusia County, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 2013 Hyundai Elantra being driven by a 41-year-old Eustis man, was traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 17 approaching West Davis Street near De Leon Springs in Volusia County, when he failed to slow for a Ford F-350 pickup truck shortly after 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The Hyundai rear-ended the Ford, seriously injuring the Eustis man. His passenger, a 40-year-old woman from Sorrento, was transported to AdventHealth

Sorrento Woman Killed, Eustis Man Seriously Injured in Volusia County Crash Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / February 17, 2023

INSIDE LAKE EXCLUSIVE: Daughter of Local Musician Killed in Crash Last Summer and Crash Survivor Tell Their Story Only to Inside Lake

MOUNT DORA, Florida—It has been nearly six months since Emily Lowe got the call that changed her life. In the early morning hours of July 23, 2022, Lowe’s father, beloved local musician Robert Wilson was attempting to push his minivan off a curb on Old U.S. Highway 441 across from Dairy Queen in Mount Dora when good Samaritan Michael Dickey saw him and stopped to help. “I thought, man, somebody is going to hit him,” Dickey told Inside Lake earlier this week, “and I’ll be damned if what I thought happened.”   Wilson’s tire was stuck on the curb and

INSIDE LAKE EXCLUSIVE: Daughter of Local Musician Killed in Crash Last Summer and Crash Survivor Tell Their Story Only to Inside Lake Read More »

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Tavares / By / January 21, 2023

Oviedo Man Killed in SR 46 Crash Sunday Night

SORRENTO, Florida—A 23-year-old Oviedo man was killed Sunday night after he ran off State Road 46, struck a fence and collided with a bridge support, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The man was driving a Ford F-450 eastbound on State Road 46, east of State Road 453 around 7:35 p.m. Sunday, when he ran off the road for an unknown reason, struck a fence, continued on and struck a bridge support, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said in a press release. The man was entrapped, and Lake County Fire Rescue and Mount Dora Fire Department responded to assist, sources told

Oviedo Man Killed in SR 46 Crash Sunday Night Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / January 16, 2023

BREAKING NEWS: FHP Investigating Fatal Crash on SR 46

SORRENTO, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol in investigating a fatal crash on State Road 46 at State Road 453 in Sorrento, sources told Inside Lake Sunday night. Sources said a box truck hit a guardrail and the driver became entrapped and was pronounced dead on the scene just after 7: 45 p.m. Sunday. FHP, Lake County Fire Rescue and Mount Dora Fire Department all responded to the scene. According to FHP’s website there is no roadblock in the area. This is a breaking story.

BREAKING NEWS: FHP Investigating Fatal Crash on SR 46 Read More »

Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / January 15, 2023

Leesburg Man Flees Sumter County Crash that Killed Motorcyclist Thursday Night, Arrested a Few Miles Away

SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—A Leesburg man is being held in the Sumter County Jail after fleeing a crash that killed a Kissimmee motorcyclist, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Lloyd Douglas Walters, 59, was driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee westbound on State Road 44 in the left turn lane near County Road 171 while a 51-year-old Kissimmee man riding a Suzuki motorcycle was traveling westbound on State Road 44 in the inside lane at 7:25 p.m. Thursday. Walters changed lanes and collided with the motorcycle, ejecting its rider. The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to

Leesburg Man Flees Sumter County Crash that Killed Motorcyclist Thursday Night, Arrested a Few Miles Away Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / December 31, 2022

Leesburg Motorcyclist Killed Thursday Night, Police Say

LEESBURG, Florida—A 30-year-old Leesburg man was killed late Thursday night after he struck the back of an SUV, according to Leesburg Police Department Capt. Joe Iozzi. James B. Freeze was riding a blue 2007 Yamaha YZF-R6 motorcycle southbound in the 10400 block of U.S. Highway 441, when he struck the back of a white 2020 Lexus GX being driven by Meredith K. Nettles, 44, of Pensacola shortly before 10:30 p.m. Nettles had just made a U-turn prior to the crash, Iozzi said in a press release. Freeze was pronounced dead on the scene. “The crash remains under investigation, though it

Leesburg Motorcyclist Killed Thursday Night, Police Say Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / December 30, 2022

Elderly Woman Struck by 2 Vehicles and Killed Christmas Night, Leesburg Police Say

LEESBURG, Florida—An 80-year-old woman was struck by two vehicles and killed Christmas night as she attempted to cross busy State Road 44, also known as Dixie Avenue in Leesburg, according to Leesburg Police Department Capt. Joe Iozzi. Gladys Lopez was found deceased in the roadway when LPD responded to a crash at Dixie Avenue and Euclid Avenue around 7:45 p.m. Sunday, Iozzi said. The intersection is a just about a mile from UF Health Leesburg Hospital. “The preliminary investigation indicates Ms. Lopez was struck by two vehicles as she was attempting to cross State Road 44/Dixie Avenue,” Iozzi said in

Elderly Woman Struck by 2 Vehicles and Killed Christmas Night, Leesburg Police Say Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / December 27, 2022

Leesburg Woman, 22, Dies from Injuries She Suffered In Sumter County Crash Monday

SUMTER COUNTY, Florida—A 22-year-old Leesburg woman has succumbed to injuries she suffered from a three-vehicle crash in Sumter County Monday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Shortly before 10 p.m. Monday, the woman was a passenger in a sedan being driven by a 27-year-old Wildwood man when the sedan was struck by another sedan being driven by an 18-year-old Leesburg man who ran a red light at the intersection of County Road 466 and Buena Vista Boulevard, according to FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins.   Both sedans rotated and collided with a traffic sign support and the second sedan collided with

Leesburg Woman, 22, Dies from Injuries She Suffered In Sumter County Crash Monday Read More »

Inside Scoop, Leesburg / By / December 24, 2022

Eustis Man Killed in Orange County Head-On Collision

APOPKA, Florida—A Eustis man was killed Saturday night after the 2000 Ford Focus he was driving was struck head-on by a 2017 Dodge Ram 1500, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. A 38-year-old Apopka man was driving the Ram eastbound on South Binion Road, also known as County Road 437, near Sheaf Road when he failed to maintain his lane entered the westbound lane and struck the Focus being driven by a 65-year-old Eustis man, shortly before 9 p.m. Saturday, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The impact caused the Ram to overturn on its right side and the driver was

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Eustis, Inside Scoop / By / November 20, 2022

Villages Man Dead, Teen Ejected and Seriously Injured in SR 44 Crash Saturday Afternoon

EUSTIS, Florida—The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a crash that killed an elderly man and seriously injured a teenager Saturday afternoon. The 73-year-old Villages man was traveling southbound in a 2021 Honda CRV on State Road 44 near Rory Lane in unincorporated Eustis just before 2 p.m. Saturday when he attempted to make a U-turn and entered the direct path of 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe also traveling southbound. The front of the Tahoe struck the left side of the CRV, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. The impact ejected the Tahoe’s passenger, a 19-year-old male from Eustis; he was not wearing

Villages Man Dead, Teen Ejected and Seriously Injured in SR 44 Crash Saturday Afternoon Read More »

Eustis, Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 19, 2022

Suspect Who Fled Crash that Killed Teen Confessed to FHP, According to Report

MONTVERDE, Florida—The man who hit a high school freshman earlier this week was found by his boss using a tracking device and turned over to the Florida Highway Patrol, along with the two occupants who were in the car with him, and the driver confessed to the crime, according to a report. Owen Wells, 14, a ninth grader at Lake Minneola High School, was killed around 6:20 a.m. Thursday on County Road 455 near Willo Pines Lane when he was struck by a Pontiac G6 being driven by Enrique Ramirez, 57, of Winter Garden. The impact threw the teen into

Suspect Who Fled Crash that Killed Teen Confessed to FHP, According to Report Read More »

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Minneola, Montverde, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 19, 2022

Account Created to Support Family of High School Student Tragically Killed Thursday

MONTVERDE, Florida—A GoFundMe has been created to help provide financial support to the family of  the Lake Minneola High School freshman who was tragically killed in a hit and run crash Thursday. The account, created by family friend Derek Kelley, describes 14-year-old Owen Wells as “always smiling” and “always on some adventure” “Owen had a love of God and a love of life,” Kelley wrote. “Owen had a deep love for his parents. And definitely loved the occasional harassment of his two younger brothers. The funds collected are slated to pay for Owen’s funeral expenses and to give Owen’s parents,

Account Created to Support Family of High School Student Tragically Killed Thursday Read More »

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Minneola, Montverde, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 18, 2022

FHP Arrests Man in Hit and Run Death of Teenager

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of hitting a Lake Minneola High School freshman and leaving the scene shortly before daybreak Thursday has been arrested, the Florida Highway Patrol said Thursday night. Enrique Ramirez, 57, of Winter Garden was arrested by FHP for leaving the scene of a crash involving death, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The boy, whose name was not released, was walking across the lanes of County Road 455 near Willow Pines Lane just before 6:30 a.m. Thursday when he entered the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 being driven by Ramirez and was struck by the front left

FHP Arrests Man in Hit and Run Death of Teenager Read More »

Clermont, Inside Scoop, Minneola, Montverde, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 17, 2022

High School Freshman Killed in Hit and Run Thursday Morning

MONTVERDE, Florida—A Lake Minneola High School freshman was killed Thursday after he was struck by a car that fled the scene and then struck by a second vehicle as he lay in the southbound lanes of County Road 455, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The boy, whose name has not been released, was walking across the lanes of County Road 455 near Willow Pines Lane just before 6:30 a.m. when he entered the path of a 2007 Pontiac G6 and was struck by the front left of the car. The impact threw the teenager into the southbound lane of

High School Freshman Killed in Hit and Run Thursday Morning Read More »

Inside Scoop, Minneola, Montverde / By / November 17, 2022

Pedestrian Killed Thursday Morning, CR 455 Shut Down

MONTVERDE, Florida—A pedestrian fatality has shut down County Road 455 Thursday morning. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a vehicle and a pedestrian were involved in a crash of County Road 455 near Willo Pines Lanes just before 6:30 a.m. The pedestrian was killed and motorists can expect County 455 to be shut down for several hours. This is a developing story.

Pedestrian Killed Thursday Morning, CR 455 Shut Down Read More »

Inside Scoop, Montverde / By / November 17, 2022

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night

UMATILLA, Florida—A 39-year-old woman was speeding before she crashed her car into a tree and it burst into flames in unincorporated Umatilla, witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol. Around 9 p.m. Thursday, the Tavares woman was driving a 2009 Chevy Malibu northbound on West 4th Avenue approaching West 7th Street when she lost control, ran off the roadway and struck a tree, causing the car to become engulfed in flames, according to FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Witnesses told troopers the woman was speeding before the crash. She was transported to Central Florida Regional Medical Center in Sanford, where she later

Fiery Crash Kills Tavares Woman in Umatilla Thursday Night Read More »

Inside Scoop, Tavares, Umatilla, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 11, 2022

Crash Monday Kills One Man, Lands Another in Jail

LEESBURG, Florida—The driver who rear-ended a man, causing a chain-reaction crash Monday morning that killed the man, does not have a license, the Florida Highway Patrol said following the crash. Around 7:20 a.m. Monday, Gustavo Martinez Cortez, 36, of Eustis was driving a 2003 Chevy Silverado southbound on County Road 44 when he failed to stop for a 2004 Toyota Corolla that was stopped in the southbound lane, waiting to turn on Silver Lake Road, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The Silverado struck the Corolla, being driven by a 42-year-old Eustis man, and pushed it into the northbound lane, causing

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Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 7, 2022

Fatal Crash Shuts Down CR 44 Monday Morning

LEESBURG, Florida—A fatal crash involving four vehicles has closed County Road 44 at Silver Lake Road in unincorporated Leesburg Monday morning, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred around 7:20 a.m. Monday and killed a 42-year-old man from Eustis driving a 2004 Toyota Corolla, said FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi. A 23-year-old DeLand woman driving a 2015 Mitsubishi Mirage was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries, Crescenzi said; a Eustis man, 36, driving a 2004 Chevy Silverado and a 69-year-old Avon Park man driving a 2021 tractor trailer were not injured. Drivers are asked to seek an

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Eustis, Inside Scoop, Leesburg, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 7, 2022

Man Accused in DUI Crash that Killed 5-year-old Boy Turns Himself in on DUI Manslaughter Charges

TAVARES, Florida—The man accused of killing a young boy in a DUI crash turned himself in at the Lake County Jail Wednesday morning on DUI manslaughter charges, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi.   Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, is accused of driving drunk Saturday on County Road 448 and killing the Mount Dora boy and seriously injuring his mom. This is a developing story and Inside Lake is working on getting more details.

Man Accused in DUI Crash that Killed 5-year-old Boy Turns Himself in on DUI Manslaughter Charges Read More »

Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Tavares, Unincorporated Lake / By / November 2, 2022

Boy Dies From Injuries in Saturday DUI Crash, Charges Upgraded to DUI Manslaughter

TAVARES, Florida—The 5-year-old boy who was critically injured in a crash on County Road 448 Saturday morning has died, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescenzi. Daksh Wadhwa, 30, of Tavares, was driving a 2022 BMW 740I westbound on County Road 448 near Shirley Shores Road at 8:30 a.m. Saturday when he veered into the eastbound lane. Both he and the driver of a 2008 Honda Civic swerved to the left to avoid a collision, and the right front of the BMW struck the right side of the Honda, Crescenzi said in a press release. The driver of the

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Inside Scoop, Mount Dora, Tavares, Unincorporated Lake / By / October 31, 2022

Groveland Woman Found in Cardiac Arrest Following 4-Vehicle Crash Wednesday

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Florida—A 73-year-old Groveland woman found in cardiac arrest following a crash Wednesday, failed to stop on an Interstate 4 exit ramp and caused the chain-reaction crash, according to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Channing Taylor.   The woman was driving a sedan when she failed to stop for traffic on the exit ramp at I4 and State 436 in Altamonte Springs at 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Taylor said in a press release. The woman’s car struck a sedan being driven by a 48-year-old Apopka man, pushing his sedan into another sedan being driven by a 52-year-old Longwood man and pushing

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Groveland, Inside Scoop / By / October 19, 2022

Busy Intersection Still Blocked Due to Diesel Cleanup After Fatal Crash Near Okahumpka

OKAHUMPKA, Florida—A fatal crash that caused a diesel spill closed a busy intersection for most of the day Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.    A 33-year-old Bradenton man was driving a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander eastbound on County Road 470 approaching County Road 33 near Okahumpka when he ran a red light and struck the right side of a 2021 semi-truck being driven by a 43-year-old Brandon man. The impacted killed the 25-year-old Outlander passenger of Sarasota; he was not wearing a seatbelt and the driver was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. Both occupants of

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Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / October 2, 2022

FHP On Scene of Fatal Crash

Update at the bottom of this story. OKAHUMPKA, Florida— The intersection of County Road 470 and County Road 33 in Okahumpka is shut down due to a fatal crash that occurred around 8:45 a.m. Sunday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash involves a 2021 semi-truck and a 2012 Mitsubishi Outlander; the passenger in the Outlander was killed, FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi said. The driver of Outlander, a 33-year-old Bradenton man, was airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries and the driver of the semi, a 43-year-old man of Brandon, was not injured. Troopers are on scene

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Inside Scoop, Unincorporated Lake / By / October 2, 2022

Clermont van driver under investigation for crash near Mount Dora, Tavares motorcyclist dies

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared on Lake Legal News on March 18, 2020.  MOUNT DORA, Florida — A motorcyclist was killed Tuesday after a van ran a stop sign, near the Lake County and Orange County line, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Steven Winters, 38, of Tavares was riding a 2020 Harley Davidson motorcycle southbound on U.S. Highway 441 when a 2002 Ford van being driven by Daniel Meeks, 55, of Clermont ran a stop sign while attempting to make a left turn to travel westbound onto to Old U.S. Highway 441. The front of the motorcycle struck

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Clermont, Inside Scoop, Tavares / By / November 16, 2025
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