Updated with FHP statement: Two killed, two injured in Waldo accident

Photo courtesy of Alachua County Fire Rescue

Updated at 7:30 p.m. with statement from Florida Highway Patrol

Staff report

WALDO, Fla. – At about 1:09 a.m. last night, crews responded to a single-vehicle crash in Waldo near Cole Street and found a vehicle wrapped around a concrete utility pole.

Two patients were pronounced deceased at the scene, and two were trauma-alerted to a local hospital. Crews from Alachua County Fire Rescue, Melrose Fire, and Windsor Fire worked for over 90 minutes to remove all victims from the vehicle.

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Photo courtesy of Alachua County Fire Rescue

Florida Highway Patrol has released the following statement:

“Early this morning, the Bradford County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the Florida Highway Patrol as they pursued a recently stolen Honda CRV from Alachua County (ACSO Case #24-03307). The Honda CRV appeared to be occupied by four individuals. A State Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol joined the pursuit and identified that some of the occupants appeared to be wearing ski masks.

“The suspect vehicle exited U.S. 301 and began traveling westbound on State Road 24 (SR-24) in the Waldo area of Alachua County. The Trooper made intentional contact with the Honda, causing it to decelerate. The Trooper used the break in speed to perform a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT maneuver) on the fleeing Honda to stop the threat created by the fleeing suspect. The Honda subsequently rolled over before making contact with a cement pole.

“One of the occupants of the suspect vehicle was ejected and pronounced deceased on scene. Alachua County Fire Rescue transported the other occupants to an area hospital where, upon arrival, another occupant was pronounced deceased. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this incident. This criminal investigation is ongoing in cooperation with the Office of the State Attorney – 15th Circuit, Bradford County Sheriff’s, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Additional information will be released when available.”

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