Ocala, Fla. – The Ocala Police Department is conducting a full‑scale investigation into a tragic crash that claimed the lives of a mother and her son early Tuesday morning. Police Chief Mike Balken described the incident as “devastating” and entirely preventable.
What happened
At approximately 2:45 a.m., officers responded to a van parked in the middle of a road near a sidewalk. Body‑camera footage shows two brothers, aged 33 and 24, arguing loudly about a birthday celebration. An officer approached, noted the vehicle’s obstruction, and told the men, “Y’all are good to go, Y’all can head on out.” Minutes later, the same van struck and killed Eric Derick Maurice McGill, 31, and De Lawn Marshall Duncan, 50.
Officer’s actions under scrutiny
Chief Balken said the officer’s decision to let the brothers leave, despite clear signs of possible impairment, is the “troubling” element of the case. “There’s no way to sugarcoat this,” he said. The chief added that the officer is a recent hire who completed field training about 30 days ago. Two other officers were present during the initial encounter.
Possible impairment
According to the chief, both brothers showed indications of having consumed alcohol earlier in the night. “Unfortunately, and really for reasons I can’t fully yet explain, the officers failed to investigate a possible DUI or even question the driver’s level of intoxication,” Balken said. The brothers were taken to a local hospital, with one listed as a trauma alert.
Department response
The officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds. Chief Balken emphasized that the incident is not being attributed to a failure in training but rather a lapse in acting on probable impairment. He has met with the victims’ families, shown them the body‑camera footage, and is coordinating resources to support them.
Community impact
“We owe it to the families involved and this community to address these failures head‑on and ensure mistakes like this never, ever happen again,” Balken said. He expressed deep disappointment and sorrow, noting the shock felt by the families and the broader Ocala community.
Next steps
The department will release findings from the investigation as they become available. Charges are pending, and the identities of the officers and victims have not been released pending standard protocol.
Ocala residents are urged to stay informed about the investigation and to reach out to local resources if they need assistance coping with the tragedy.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
