Serious Injuries in Sarasota Crash

An 80-year-old Sarasota man suffered serious injuries in a Thursday afternoon crash on Clark Road.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 4:43 p.m. as a vehicle driven by Oscar Ovalles, 23, of Sarasota was heading west on Clark in the center lane approaching Sawyer Road. A Dodge Caravan driven by Lee Fleming, 80, was heading west on Clark in the center lane at the time.

Troopers say Fleming had just turned right onto Clark from Sawyer on a green light when the crash happened.

According to witnesses, Ovalles was travelling at a high rate of speed and failed to stop for the red light. Ovalles saw Fleming’s van, veered left to avoid a collision, but ended up striking the rear of the Caravan anyway.

Fleming was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with serious injuries, a highway patrol report said. Ovalles was charged with DUI with serious bodily injury and violation of a traffic control device.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Trooper G.K. Luh at 239-938-1800.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol