Photo by: Austin L. Miller
A section of Southeast 31st Street was blocked temporarily Friday evening due to a fatal traffic crash at the Southeast 19th Avenue intersection.
Here’s what we know:
Which agency is investigating? Ocala Police Department.
What time were they notified about the crash? 6:01 p.m.
What time did they arrive? 6:06 p.m.
Where did the victim die? At HCA Florida Ocala Hospital at 6:19 p.m.
What happened? Officers on scene said a Kia Sorrento sport utility vehicle driven by a 76-year-old Ocala woman was eastbound on 31st Street. The woman entered the left turn lane to turn left onto 19th Avenue.
The motorcycle rider, a man, was westbound on 31st Street. Police officials said though both vehicles had the green light, the SUV did not have a green arrow. The vehicles collided at the intersection.
Officials said the bike struck the passenger side of the SUV. Authorities said upon impact, the front of the Ducati motorcycle caught fire.
What about the SUV driver? Officers planned to take a blood sample from the woman, which is standard procedures in crashes that involve death or serious bodily injury. Officers said the elderly woman was shaken, comforted by family and was cooperating with the investigation.
Did police identify the victim? Yes. His name is Jonathan Michael Parson, 23, of Ocala.
What about the roadblocks? The roadway was blocked for more than an hour as police investigated the crash. The roads were re-opened about 8:45 p.m.
Since the beginning of the year, how many people have died in traffic crashes in the city of Ocala? Six. Last year, nine people were killed in traffic-related crashes in the city. In 2023, five of the nine deaths were motorcycle riders.
So far this year, half of the six fatalities have been motorcycle riders. Those numbers do not include traffic fatalities in unincorporated Marion County or the cities of Belleview and Dunnellon.
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Source: Ocala
