A tragic early-morning crash in Marion County, Florida, left a 5-year-old child dead, an unborn baby lost, and more than a dozen people hospitalized just two days after Christmas. Investigators say dense fog is believed to have played a major role in the devastating collision involving an SUV and a recreational vehicle carrying 15 passengers.
Deadly Collision at a Fog-Covered Intersection
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash happened just before 6 a.m. Saturday at the intersection of County Road 316 and U.S. Route 27 near Ocala. Visibility was severely reduced due to thick fog, which firefighters and witnesses described as making the roadway extremely dangerous.
Investigators say the SUV, driven by a 25-year-old pregnant woman from Old Town, veered off the right side of County Road 316 near the intersection. The vehicle then reentered the roadway, crossed onto U.S. Route 27, and struck the side of a southbound RV carrying 15 passengers from Ohio. The SUV overturned upon impact.
5-Year-Old Child Killed, Multiple Injured
The force of the collision killed a 5-year-old passenger inside the RV, identified by school officials as Tucker, a preschool student at Enon Preschool in Springfield, Ohio. School administrators said several staff members were deeply affected by the news, calling it an unimaginable loss for the community.
Eleven people from the RV, ranging in age from 5 to 59, were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Pregnant Driver in Critical Condition; Unborn Baby Does Not Survive
The SUV driver, identified by family members as Josie Nessmith, was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Due to the severity of her injuries and the impact of the crash, doctors attempted an emergency delivery. Despite their efforts, the unborn baby did not survive. Nessmith remains hospitalized as her family and medical staff continue to monitor her condition.
Neighbors Say Intersection Has Long Been Dangerous
Local resident Belinda Copen, who lives near the crash site, said the intersection has been the scene of multiple accidents and has long needed safety improvements.
“There have been exactly five wrecks, and I told my husband, one day somebody is going to come out of that road and they’re going to hit somebody,” Copen said. “That day was today.”
She believes additional signage, stronger rumble strips, and renewed attention to the intersection could help prevent further tragedies.
Investigation Ongoing
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash, with early findings suggesting that low visibility from dense fog and roadway conditions contributed to the collision. No charges have been announced as of this time.
Summary
A fog-related crash in Marion County has left a 5-year-old child and an unborn baby dead, with multiple others injured. Authorities are investigating the circumstances, while community members call for long-overdue safety improvements at the dangerous intersection. Stay updated with the latest breaking news and developing reports at HonkNews.com.