A motorcycle rider died in a fiery crash March 22 in southeast Marion County. Here’s what we know:
Where was the crash? At Southeast 170th Avenue Road and 95th Street Road in Ocklawaha.
What time was the wreck? Marion County Fire Rescue spokesman James Lucas said crews were assigned to the call at 2:19 p.m. and arrived at 2:29 p.m. The victim was pronounced deceased at 2:30 p.m.
What type of vehicles were involved? A Yamaha motorcycle and a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Which agency is investigating? Florida Highway Patrol.
What happened? FHP troopers said the motorcycle was traveling west on 95th Street Road. The Jeep was traveling east on the same roadway.
Troopers said the Jeep’s driver was attempting to turn left onto 170th Avenue Road when the Jeep and bike collided.
FHP said the impact spilt the bike in two and the Jeep caught fire.
Gilbert Glenn, 68, of Leesburg, the Jeep’s driver, and his mother, 87, managed to get out of the vehicle before the fire started, officials said.
The motorcycle rider, identified as Anthony Michael MacAllister, died at the scene. MacAllister, 36, was from Silver Springs Shores, according to troopers and friends who were riding with the victim at the time of the crash.
The investigation is ongoing.
What’s the speed limit on the roadway? 45 mph.
A man who lives mere feet away from 95th Street Road told a Star-Banner reporter that vehicles constantly speed up and down the roadway. Several years ago, he said, a car crashed into his home. He said there was another crash a few years ago where a vehicle struck a tree.
Information about the victim in March 22 motorcycle death
Troopers said Glenn was on his way to look at a vehicle in Ocklawaha at the time of the crash. Glenn was shaken up and declined an interview with a Star-Banner reporter.
Several of MacAllister’s friends who were riding with him at the time of the crash told the same reporter they were out cruising. They said they met at a 7-Eleven, and the plan was to ride through the Ocala National Forest.
The journey was a little more than 21 miles, according to the friends. Including MacAllister, they were seven riders.
Riders said MacAllister was ahead of them. One rider said the Jeep was making a turn when his friend slammed into the vehicle. He said there was white smoke, then flames.
The friends described MacAllister as a good guy who was a good mentor, teacher, husband and father. They said MacAllister frequently rode his bike. Aside from his job, they said, MacAllister also worked as an Uber driver.
Second fatal motorcycle crash
MacAllister’s death was the second motorcycle fatality in Marion County in less than 24 hours.
On March 21, troopers responded to a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 75. A motorcycle rider, 22-year-old Jasmine Brown of Deer Island, died after she was run over by a vehicle.
Traffic homicide investigators arrested the driver whose vehicle hit Brown’s Kawasaki, knocking her off the bike and onto the interstate. The driver, Melinda Yvonne Dillon, eventually was arrested on charges of DUI manslaughter and DUI with property damage.
Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Motorcycle rider dies in fiery Ocklawaha crash March 22
Reporting by Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner / Ocala Star-Banner
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
