2 Women Fatally Struck while Using Crosswalk in Ocala

On Saturday night in Ocala, the 39-year-old Andino and the 28-year-old Caldero were on foot by East State Road 40.  Shortly before midnight, the two women decided to cross the street.  They had reached the intersection of East State Road 40 and North East First ave when they turned, entered the crosswalk, and began crossing the street.

It was at this time that a silver 2014 Nissan pickup truck came down east State Road 40.  The report from the Ocala Police Department indicated that there is reason to believe that the truck was traveling at excessive speeds when it came down the road, although it was not immediately clear whether or not witness to the crash were the source of this piece of information or if the police have some other reason for assuming that high-speeds relate to what followed.

The driver of the Nissan, either not seeing or not caring about the presence of the two women at the crosswalk, entered the designated pedestrian area and struck both Andino and Caldero.  The Nissan then sped away from the location of the crash.

Emergency response teams were called to the scene, presumably by witnesses to the accident, although the report failed to mention who initiated the 9-1-1 call.  When the first responders (including police and paramedics) arrived, they attempted to help the two women, but the extent of the injuries they had suffered after being struck by the large speeding truck was too much for any medical attention to remedy.  The women were both reported dead at the scene of the crash.

Police immediately began searching for the driver of the truck which struck the women.  Based on reports from bystanders, they knew that the driver had fled westbound along East State Road 40.  Following the road, the police quickly located the truck.  Unfortunately, the driver had abandoned the Nissan at the intersection of East State Road 40 and North U.S. 411 and fled from the area, although it is not clear if the individual ran away from the truck on foot or with the help of another car and potentially another individual.

A search is now underway for the driver of the Nissan, with numerous police agencies involved in seeking the capture and arrest of the individual responsible for this hideous incident.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.