Second arrest made in fatal three-vehicle, Jan. 29, Inverness crash
On June 3, 2022, troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) arrested 16 year-old Antonio Villalbazo, of Ocala, Florida, on charges related to a three vehicle traffic crash that occurred in Inverness, Florida on January 29, 2022, that resulted in the death of an 18 year-old Inverness woman and injuries to several other people. He was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) manslaughter, DUI with serious injury, possession of cocaine, driving with no driver's license resulting in death, and vehicular homicide. He was incarcerated at the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto, FL.
On January 29, 2022, the other passenger of the vehicle Antonio Villalbazo was driving - 22 year-old Manuel Alfonzo Villalbazo, also of Ocala - was arrested by the FHP, charged with allowing an unauthorized person (Antonio Villalbazo) to drive, aggravated child abuse, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell or distribute. He was also incarcerated at the Citrus County Detention Facility.
The crash occurred on U.S. Highway 41 (S. Florida Ave.) slightly south of S. Airport Rd. at 1:46 am. According to a press release by the FHP, 16 year-old Antonio Villalbazo was driving a sport utility vehicle (SUV) that was traveling south on US 41 in the inside, northbound lane.
The other two vehicles involved in the crash were traveling north on U.S. Highway 41 in the outside lane: a sedan, driven by the 18 year-old woman who died as the result of the crash, followed by a SUV, driven by a 35 year-old woman from Crystal River, Florida.
Just south of S. Airport Rd., the SUV driven by Antonio Villalbazo, collided with the sedan, nearly head-on, and the second SUV was struck with debris from the impact of the other two vehicles.
After the impact, the SUV driven by Antonio Villalbazo rotated and came to rest in the southbound left turn lane, while the sedan also rotated and came to rest on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 41, near the east sidewalk.
The Inverness woman was transported to an area hospital, but she later expired of injuries suffered during the crash. Her 18 year old male passenger, also of Inverness, received serious injuries.
Antonio Villalbazo received serious injuries, and Manuel Alfonzo Villalbazo received minor injuries.
The two passengers of the second SUV, the driver from Crystal River and her 14 year-old male passenger, also of Crystal River, both received minor injuries.
The initial press release stated that all the passengers of the three vehicles were wearing a seatbelt, with the exception of Antonio Villalbazo.