3 teens injured in single-vehicle crash

OCALA – Three teenagers were injured – two seriously - in a single-vehicle crash on Southwest 38th Avenue when the pickup they were riding in slammed into a large steel utility pole.

Ocala police officials say that, according to two witnesses, the white Ford Explorer pickup went off the street and into the grass. While in the grass, the truck passed three other vehicles.

Then, as the driver came back onto the roadway, he lost control and swerved back onto the grass shoulder and struck the metal pole.

Authorities said the accident occurred at 3:52 p.m. in the 2400 block of Southwest 38th Avenue.

In the vehicle were two males – the 18-year-old driver and a 17-year-old passenger – and an 18-year-old female passenger.

The woman did not appear to be seriously injured. The two males were taken by ambulance to Shands at the University of Florida in critical condition, Ocala Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Brian Stoothoof said. The woman was taken to West Marion Community Hospital.

Their names were not immediately available.

- Austin L. Miller