Florida security officer killed in motor vehicle crash heading to work
Marion County FL November 11 2019
The driver of a minivan was killed when it was T-boned by a semi along North U.S. 441 in Marion County on Friday.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers identified the crash victim as Roger Kuznik, 81, of Ocala.
The fatality was the fifth traffic death in Marion County, including the city of Ocala, since Thursday afternoon. All five deaths — involving two children, their 71-year-old grandfather, an 18-year-old Ocala man, and now an unidentified male driver —occurred when one vehicle slammed into another vehicle, according to law enforcement officials.
In Friday’s crash, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said the 2000 Pontiac Montana was stopped on the east shoulder near the entrance of The Vineyard Church at 13695 N. U.S. 441.
The semi, driven by James Keen, 47, of Gainesville, was also traveling north and came around the corner. It was towing an empty trailer used for transporting cars.
Troopers said that, for an unknown reason, the minivan traveled in a westerly direction across the northbound lanes of U.S. 441 in front of the semi, which hit the vehicle on the left side.
Officials said Keen tried to veer left.
The impact sent the minivan into a ditch, where it landed on its side. The semi and car hauler crossed into the southbound lanes where it stopped, blocking traffic.
Troopers said Kuznik was on his way to work as a security guard in Gainesville when the crash occurred.
James Lucas, spokesman for Marion County Fire Rescue, said firefighters were assigned the call at 7:28 p.m. and arrived at 7:37 p.m. They pronounced the victim dead at the scene at 7:39 p.m. Lucas said the driver was trapped in the vehicle.
The area where the crash occurred is very dark with no street lights which is a concern to nearby residents.
Ocala.com
