Woman killed in NW Marion County vehicle crash was evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton

A woman was killed and another woman seriously injured when the vehicle they were riding in struck a large tree in northwest Marion County early Tuesday. Officials said the woman were evacuating because of Hurricane Milton.

Here's what we know:

Which agency is investigating the crash? Florida Highway Patrol.

Where did the crash happen? Along County Road 318, close to Northwest 38th Avenue in Orange Lake.

What happened? Troopers said the women, in a Nissan Cube, were westbound on CR 318 when the driver did not see a huge tree in the roadway and struck it. Officials said a tree limb pierced the windshield. The driver, a 56-year-old woman, died.

The roadway was dark and there are no streetlights, authorities said. The crash happened just before 2:30 a.m.

The crash occurred along CR 318 not far from 38th Avenue, which is east of U.S. 441. FHP officials said the 56-year-old woman was driving the vehicle with a 76-year-old female passenger. Both women are from Salt Springs, in east Marion County, and knew each other, law enforcement officials said.

Before the crash, troopers said, there was another crash involving the same tree. A road crew responded and was in the process of cutting up the tree when the fatal crash happened.

Did the passenger go to the hospital? Yes, she was taken to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

The crash was the second in less than 24 hours in Marion County. Shortly after 7:30 p.m. Monday, a woman in a motorized wheelchair trying to cross Southwest 27th Avenue was hit and later died at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, according to Ocala police officials.

Vehicle crash: Northeast Ocala: Body of man, 73, found inside car deep in the woods.

What time was Tuesday's crash? James Lucas, spokesman for Marion County Fire Rescue, said the call was assigned at 2:29 a.m. and first responders from his agency arrived at 2:35 a.m. The victim was pronounced deceased at 2:38 a.m. Lucas said fire officials did extrication and it was completed at 2:49 a.m. He said a dog inside the vehicle was fine.

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Woman killed in NW Marion County vehicle crash was evacuating ahead of Hurricane Milton