On Monday, June 2, 2014 at approximately 1:20 p.m., a three vehicle crash occurred in the 3200 block of E. SR 40 that ended in the death of one of the drivers.
Wallace Earl Wenzel, 78, of Ocala, was driving a 2004 silver Buick LeSabre when he pulled out onto E. SR 40 from the north side of the roadway – in front of the McDonald's area – and into the path of another vehicle.
The vehicle travelling westbound, a 1997 Chevrolet Van driven by Gavin Horst, 30, of Ocala, "t-boned" the Buick.
Both vehicles went into the grass median in the center of the roadway; the Buick spun and continued out into the pass-through area between the grass medians and struck a 2014 black Mitsubishi Gallant, driven by Misty Guinn, 30, of Ocala, in the left rear.
Wenzel was trauma alerted and transported by ambulance to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he passed away later the same evening.
According to police, all drivers were wearing their seat belts when the crash occurred.
Horst and Guinn were not injured during the crash.