Two Women Injured in Hawthorne Road Rollover Crash

ALACHUA COUNTY – A 27-year-old Ocala woman remains in critical condition and a 60-year-old Hawthorne woman is recovering from serious injuries after a violent two-vehicle crash on Friday morning along State Road 20 in the Grove Park area, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:45 a.m. on July 18 near Southeast 159^th Street, a stretch of highway that runs through rural eastern Alachua County and often sees moderate morning traffic as drivers commute between communities like Hawthorne and Gainesville.

According to the preliminary investigation by FHP, the Ocala woman was driving an SUV eastbound on State Road 20, also known as Hawthorne Road, when her vehicle unexpectedly left the roadway. Troopers reported the SUV traveled onto the southern grassy shoulder before beginning to rotate uncontrollably.

The vehicle then crossed both eastbound lanes, entered the center grass median, overturned, and entered the westbound travel lanes. At that point, it collided with a westbound sedan being driven by the Hawthorne woman.

The driver of the SUV had been ejected during the rollover and was found with life-threatening injuries. She was transported by ambulance to a nearby trauma center. Her condition remains critical, according to officials.

The driver of the sedan sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. She was also transported to the hospital and was later listed in stable condition, according to troopers.

Due to the extent of the damage to both vehicles, troopers have not yet determined whether seatbelts were in use by either of the drivers at the time of the collision. The use or non-use of seat restraints often plays a key role in determining the cause and severity of injuries in such incidents.

The investigation is ongoing, and additional details, including potential contributing factors such as speed, distraction, or mechanical failure, have not yet been released. Authorities did not report any adverse weather conditions at the time of the crash.

FHP stated that this report is based on preliminary findings and subject to updates as more evidence is analyzed. No charges have been filed as of press time, and both drivers' names are being withheld pending notification of family and the outcome of the investigation.

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