Crystal River woman airlifted to Baypoint hospital after Friday afternoon crash
According to the crash report by the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver was operating a Jeep Renegade utility vehicle, traveling west on West Fort Island Trail in Crystal River, about a quarter-mile east of West Chickasaw Lane, when she failed to maintain control of her vehicle as she negotiated a curve in the roadway, which caused her vehicle to travel off the roadway to the right. The front right corner of the vehicle struck a Spectrum Cable utility pole, then rotated counterclockwise and overturned. As it overturned, the front of the vehicle struck a tree and it then came to rest on its right side, facing southwest, partially submerged in water, just north of the tree.
The driver was inside the vehicle with her lap/shoulder belt still fastened, when two witnesses showed up to help. FHP Trooper Michael Thomas, who was off duty at the time, entered the vehicle through the opening in the roof and unbuckled the driver from her seat belt. The report stated that Trooper Thomas observed signs of impairment, when he spoke with the driver, which included, "slurred speech, bloodshot watery eyes and repeating comments and questions."
Two witnesses, both from Ocala, told troopers, according to the report, that they were traveling directly behind the Jeep prior to the collision, but had slowed to place distance between the two vehicles due to the driver swerving "all over the road," so they did not witness the actual crash, but caught up to the vehicle just after the crash had occurred, as the power pole "was still swinging."
The crash investigation is pending blood test results, and the report stated that charges are pending for careless driving. The damage to the Spectrum utility pole was listed at $2,000, and the damage to the Jeep, $10,000.