*Updated to reflect the death of a second victim.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE, 6/17/2024: Ocala Police say they’ve charged Tiara Kirkland with a second charge of DUI manslaughter.
Police say the driver of the Toyota Scion, 28-year-old Kendrick Johnson, died on Sunday, June 16, from the injuries he sustained in the crash.
ORIGINAL, 6/14/2024: A three-vehicle accident the evening of Wednesday, June 12, left one person dead, and another charged with DUI manslaughter.
The incident happened at the intersection of North Pine Avenue and Northwest 20th Street. The Ocala Police Department (OPD) responded to the scene at around 7:45 p.m.
Police say two of the vehicles, a Honda Civic and a Toyota Scion were both traveling northbound on Pine Avenue when a Chevy Spark traveling southbound turned in front of them.
Officers say the driver of the Honda was able to avoid the collision, but the Toyota wasn’t as fortunate. OPD says the impact caused the Toyota spin out, hit the raised median and then flip multiple times, ultimately hitting three cars in a parking lot before coming to a stop.
The passenger in the Toyota was thrown from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Toyota was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police say both the Honda and Chevy drivers not injured and declined medical attention.
Officers identified the driver of the Chevy as 44-year-old Tiara Kirkland of Keystone Heights.
During the course of the investigation, they say Kirkland appeared to be impaired and was given multiple sobriety tests, which they say she failed. Police say her breathalyzer samples read .191. and .186 which is more than twice the legal limit in Florida of .08. Police say Kirkland also allowed blood samples to be taken which have been sent off for further analysis.
The OPD traffic homicide investigator charged Kirkland with DUI manslaughter and transported her to the Marion County jail.
Police say the rate of speed of the Honda and Toyota may have played a role in the accident, and they are continuing to investigate.
Remembering Ethan “Little Country” Reeves
A police report identified the passenger who died as Ethan Reeves.
Multiple posts on social media are remembering Reeves who they call “Little Country” as a father, husband and friend.
A GoFundMe has been created and says Reeves “was loved by so many and will be missed forever.”
It seeks to raise $10,000 to assist his wife and son. As of this publication, two dozen people had donated more than $1,300.