LAKE CITY, Fla. – Two women were killed Saturday night when a speeding pickup truck allegedly struck the side of their minivan at a Lake City intersection, and police say the pickup’s driver fled before officers arrived.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:51 p.m. on Aug. 15 at the intersection of West U.S. Highway 90 and NW Centurion Court.
Lake City Police officers arrived to find a black Ford F-150 and a blue Chrysler minivan with extensive damage.
Officers, Lake City firefighters and emergency medical personnel immediately began providing lifesaving care to two women who had been inside the minivan. Despite those efforts, both women died at the scene.
Their identities have not yet been released.
Witnesses Report Ford Was Traveling at High Speed
According to the preliminary investigation, the Ford F-150 was traveling westbound on U.S. 90 as the Chrysler minivan was turning at the intersection.
The pickup struck the passenger side of the minivan.
Witnesses told investigators that the Ford had been traveling at a high rate of speed before the collision. Police have not released an estimated speed.
Investigators said the driver of the F-150 left the crash scene before officers arrived.
Police identified the driver as 31-year-old Jaron Christofer Carr of Kansas City, MO.
Officers located Carr a short time later and detained him. He was transported to the Columbia County Detention Center.
Police Say Carr Also Wanted in Missouri and Brevard County
According to Lake City Police, Carr is also being held on active warrants from Clay County, Missouri and Brevard County, Florida. Authorities did not provide details about the offenses associated with those warrants.
Carr has been charged with Hit and Run and his bond set at $1 million. The department said additional charges are possible as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the fatal collision.
The Lake City Police Department Traffic Unit is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Lake City Police at 386-752-4343. Anonymous information may be provided through the LCPD TIPS line at 386-719-2068 or Crime Stoppers of Columbia County at 386-754-7099.