Vehicle 1, a Ford F150, was traveling southbound at a high rate of speed, passing other traffic on the shoulder of North Carl G Rose Highway. Near East Spruce Drive, Vehicle 1 merged back into traffic and collided with the rear of Vehicle 2, a Honda Accord, which was also traveling southbound. The impact propelled Vehicle 2 across the roadway where it struck first a bridge rail and then collided with Vehicle 3, a Ford F150, which was traveling northbound. Transported to an area hospital, Driver 2 later expired from injuries suffered during the crash.
Following the crash, Driver 1 fled to a nearby gas station, abandoned his vehicle, and ran to into a pasture where he was located by Citrus County Sheriff’s Deputies. FHP Troopers would later arrest Driver 1, Robert Brandon Vanzant, 31, of Lady Lake and charged him with DUI manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Leaving the scene with death, leaving the scene with injures, and Driving while license suspended with death. Vanzant was not injured during the incident.
Driver 2: Male, 62, Lecanto, Fatal injury
Driver 3: Male, 42, Beverly Hills, Minor injury