Like a scene from a movie: Officer lets driver go, but minutes later tragedy strikes

OCALA, Florida. — An Ocala police officer is on paid administrative leave after authorities say he failed to investigate signs of possible impairment during an encounter with a driver who, just minutes later, was involved in a crash that killed a mother and her adult son.

The deadly collision happened around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday at Southeast Maricamp Road and Southeast 36th Avenue.

The victims were identified as 50-year-old De Lawn Marshall Duncan and her 31-year-old son, Eric Derick Maurice McGill, both of Ocala.

They were traveling in a black Mazda SUV when it collided with a dark red Dodge minivan carrying two brothers, ages 33 and 24.

Both Duncan and McGill died at the scene.

Police had encountered the brothers minutes earlier

What happened shortly before the crash is now at the center of an internal investigation.

Ocala Police Chief Mike Balken said officers had encountered the two brothers after finding them arguing near their vehicle.

According to the chief, there were indications that both men had been drinking earlier that night and may have been impaired.

Body-camera footage shows officers interacting with the brothers before ultimately allowing them to leave.

The lead officer did not conduct a DUI investigation or further examine whether the driver was impaired, according to police.

Minutes later, the minivan was involved in the fatal collision.

Officer placed on leave

The lead officer has now been placed on paid administrative leave while Ocala Police conducts an internal affairs investigation.

Police say the officer was relatively new to the department and had been out of field training for only about 30 days.

Two additional officers were also present during the earlier encounter, according to authorities.

Chief Balken said the department is examining what went wrong and why a possible DUI investigation was not conducted.

Crash investigation continues

The two brothers were taken to a hospital following the collision, with one initially listed as a trauma alert.

Traffic homicide investigators are now working to determine exactly what led to the crash, including whether impairment played a role.

The case has also been referred to the State Attorney’s Office. According to police, prosecutors indicated that the officer’s actions are not currently expected to result in criminal charges.

Potential charges related to the crash remain under investigation.

For the victims’ family, however, the consequences are already irreversible: a mother and her son lost their lives only minutes after police had an opportunity to investigate the driver who would soon be involved in the deadly collision.

DUANEWS — Your News. Your Voice.