Staff Reports
Two weekend accidents in Alachua and Putnam counties claimed the lives of two Hawthorne people and injured two others.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) releases, on Saturday a 27-year-old Hawthorne male driving a Ford box truck pulling a trailer southeast on U.S. Highway 301 in Alachua County around 9:20 a.m. lost control of the vehicle, crossed the grassy median, and into the northbound lane of 301 into the path of a second vehicle when the two collided.
Emergency responders transported the driver (serious condition) and his 24-year-old Hawthorne female passenger (critical condition) to UF Health Shands. The female passenger died at 2:46 p.m.
On Sunday around noon in Putnam County, a 43-year-old Hawthorne male was driving a Chevrolet Trailblazer south on State Road 21 and a 34-year-old Hawthorne male was driving a Toyota Highlander north on SR 21 near Shore Side Trail when the Trailblazer entered the northbound lane attempting to pass another vehicle. The Trailblazer’s right side struck the front of the Highlander with the Trailblazer coming to a final rest in the grass on the east shoulder facing southeast and the Highlander stopped partially obstructing the northbound lane facing east.
Emergency responders pronounced the 24-year-old Hawthorne man driving the Trailblazer dead on scene and the Highlander driver is in serious condition.
