Early morning on May 10, Ocala Police Department (OPD) responded to a crash involving two vehicles at NE 14th St. and NE 25th Ave. The two vehicles involved were a Toyota Yaris and a Mitsubishi Montero.
The Toyota had a driver and a passenger who were both 15 years old. The Toyota was traveling northbound on NE 25th Ave. approaching NE 14th St. The Montero was stopped at the intersection in the inside lane facing south. The Toyota proceeded through the intersection, crossed over the center into the southbound lanes, and struck the Montero head-on. The adult driver of the Montero had no significant injuries and was released at the scene. Both teens in the Toyota were transported to UF Shands Children’s Hospital in Gainesville.
Sadly, the passenger, MacKenna Rector, later died from her injuries about two hours after her arrival at the hospital. OPD worked closely with the family during this very tragic time. Social workers and other school district experts were at Vanguard High School on May 11 to comfort students coping with the loss of their classmate. The teen driver is currently in stable condition.
