High School Student Killed During a Head-On Car Crash in Marion County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 11, 2022

Members of a Marion County community are in mourning this week after a 15-year-old high school student was killed yesterday during a head-on collision along Northeast 25th Avenue in Ocala.

Although many details surrounding the fatal auto accident are still under investigation, preliminary reports from authorities with the Ocala Police Department indicated that it was approximately 5 a.m. on May 10, 2022, when a 56-year-old woman driving a Mitsubishi Montero was stopped at a red light at the intersection of Northeast 25th Avenue and 14th Street. At this same time, a Toyota Yaris that was being driven by a 15-year-old boy and had a 15-year-old female passenger approached the area from the northbound direction of 25th Avenue. For reasons that are currently unknown, the Toyota Yaris proceeded through the intersection and crashed into the front of the Mitsubishi Montero.

Local Marion County emergency response teams quickly arrived at the scene of the two-car crash and immediately transported both of the young teenagers to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville for additional medical assistance. Sadly, due to the severe nature of her injuries, 15-year-old MacKenna Rector was unable to survive and she passed away soon after. The teenage driver of the Toyota is still in the hospital but his current condition has not been released to the public.

According to a statement from the Marion County School District, the victim was a sophomore at Vanguard High School. “Regardless of timing, it is always difficult to lose a student, especially in a tragedy like this one. We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family, friends, and entire Vanguard community and to everyone grieving Mackenna’s death.“

Grief counselors and social workers will be available at the high school for the rest of the week to help fellow students and teachers deal with this tragic loss of life.

This accident is still being investigated by the Ocala Police Department. It is unclear how the 15-year-old male driver came into possession of the Toyota Yaris. No charges have been filed at this time, however, this could potentially change pending the outcome of the case.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.