An 86-year-old Weirsdale man lost his life Tuesday afternoon after his vehicle accelerated for unknown reasons and struck a tree on private property in southeastern Marion County.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred around 4:50 p.m. on November 3 near the intersection of Southeast 175th Street and Southeast 130th Avenue.
Troopers said the man was traveling northeast on private property in a sedan when, for reasons that remain unknown, the vehicle accelerated and crashed head-on into a tree.
The impact proved fatal. Marion County Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where the driver was pronounced dead.
The man’s identity was not released in the initial report, although authorities confirmed his next of kin had been notified.
The circumstances surrounding the sudden acceleration remain unclear.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
