Three children were airlifted from the scene of an accident Sunday night on Interstate 75 in Marion County.
FHP Trooper Raul J. Umana, 20, was traveling north in a marked patrol and attempted to make a U-turn in the median of the highway at 9:30 p.m. His vehicle, however, struck a guardrail and was redirected into southbound lanes of I-75, according to a report from FHP. Umana suffered minor injuries and received treatment at West Marion Hospital.
A Nissan Altima driven by 28-year-old Christeia T. Jones of Orlando struck the FHP patrol car and two other vehicles before catching fire. Jones suffered serious injuries.
Three children in the Altima, 2-year-old Logan Grant, 5-year-old Lanard Maybin and 7-year-old Denard Maybin Jr., 7 were all critically injured and airlifted to UF Health Shands in Gainesville. The 2-year-old was restrained in a child safety seat, but the other two children were not wearing restraints, the FHP report indicated.
The drivers of two other vehicles involved in the crash suffered minor injuries. William Richmond, 73, of Detroit was driving a Peterbilt tractor trailer. He was treated for his injuries at West Marion Hospital. Terry Scanes, 50, of Miami was driving a 2011 Mercedes and received treatment for injuires at North Monroe Hospital.
The southbound lanes of I-75 were closed for six hours in the aftermath of the crash.
A crash earlier this month on I-75 in Marion County claimed the lives of FHP Trooper Chelsea Richard, Villages sales agent George Phillips and tow truck driver John Duggan.
You can read more about that crash at the link below:
http://villages-news.com/florida-highway-patrol-trooper-killed-75-accident-scene-south-ocala/
