Fatal Car Pedestrian Collision on State Road 40

A 54-year-old woman, identified as Lisa Julian, died after being struck by a vehicle while crossing State Road 40 early Monday morning in Ocala, Florida. The incident has left her family seeking clarity and answers amid an active police investigation.

Details of the Ocala Accident

According to the Ocala Police Department, officers responded to a call around 7 a.m. reporting a pedestrian struck at an intersection on State Road 40. Authorities stated that a 64-year-old man was driving eastbound when he hit Julian as she crossed the road. The marion county crash resulted in road closures and has prompted questions about pedestrian safety in the area.

Family’s Grief and Call for Answers

Janet Lozito, Julian’s sister-in-law, shared her emotional response after learning of the fatal pedestrian accident from Julian’s son. "He goes, grandma, he goes, I just want to let you know somebody hit her and smeared her all over the road," Lozito recounted. She described Julian as "the baby of the family" and a devoted mother. Lozito said, "It’s a terrible thing, what happened to her. I mean, it’s very hard." She further expressed uncertainty about the circumstances of the incident, noting it was out of character for Julian to cross a street outside a crosswalk.

Questions Surrounding the Traffic Investigation

Police have not yet determined if Julian was in a crosswalk at the time of the road crossing accident, and whether the driver will face charges remains under investigation. Lozito conveyed the family’s hope that any available video footage might provide clarity, stating, "I really hope that the film shows that he was wrong and that he goes away for a very, very, very long time." The ongoing traffic investigation continues to explore both Julian’s precise actions and the involvement of the driver.

Community Message on Pedestrian Safety

Lozito used this tragedy as an opportunity to urge drivers to be more cautious. She emphasized the dangers of cell phone distraction, stating, "Make sure you put your cell phones down and pay attention to what you’re doing because before you know it, you could either get killed or kill someone or wipe out a family. And grief is just a terrible thing." The family’s statement underscores the importance of pedestrian safety and attentive driving on busy roadways like State Road 40.

Ongoing Investigation and Next Steps

As of now, Ocala police have not disclosed whether charges will be filed against the 64-year-old driver involved in the car pedestrian collision. Both the specifics of Julian’s crossing and the potential for the driver to be charged remain unresolved as the investigation continues. The community and Julian’s family are left awaiting further information to understand what led to this fatal incident.

Source: clickorlando.com.