OCALA, Fla. (CBS12) — Two brothers were involved in a fatal crash in Ocala on Thursday after earlier being allowed to leave a scene despite signs of impairment.
The incident occurred at the intersection of SE Maricamp Road and SE 36th Avenue. According to Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken, the brothers, ages 33 and 24, were in a dark red Dodge minivan when they crashed into a black Mazda SUV, resulting in the deaths of a 50-year-old woman and her 31-year-old son.
The brothers were transported to a local hospital, with the older brother in critical condition, Chief Balken confirmed.
Authorities reported that prior to the crash, an officer encountered the brothers on a sidewalk near State Road 200, where they were arguing and blocking a traffic lane. Indications of drinking and possible impairment were noted, but the officer did not conduct a DUI investigation.
Balken stated that the brothers were allowed to leave the scene, only to be involved in the subsequent crash minutes later. Following these events, an internal affairs investigation has been initiated into potential policy violations, and the primary officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.
The officer in question was relatively new to the agency, having completed field training only 30 days prior. Two other responding officers were unaware of the signs of impairment noted by the primary officer.
The crash investigation is ongoing.