A Thursday afternoon in Marion County took a devastating turn when a two-vehicle crash involving a stolen sheriff’s office patrol vehicle left three people dead and a fourth in critical condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The incident, which occurred near Mill Dam Lake at around 2:21 p.m., led to a road closure on State Road 40 to facilitate emergency response and investigation.  The tragic accident occurred when the stolen patrol car, driven by a suspect fleeing from law enforcement, collided with another vehicle traveling westbound on State Road 40. The impact of the crash left three dead at the scene, while a fourth person was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. This devastating incident has left the community of Marion County in shock and mourning as they grieve the loss of three lives. The identities of the victims have not yet been released pending notification of next of kin, but it is reported that they were all adults. The suspect’s identity has also not been disclosed, but authorities have confirmed that they died in the crash. The series of events began when a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy responded to an unusual incident at the Forest Center shopping plaza. Upon confronting a 33-year-old woman linked to the disturbance, the deputy stepped out of his patrol car, which the woman then managed to commandeer, driving off with it reported the sheriff's office. Another deputy in the area spotted and chased after the suspect, who was traveling eastbound on Highway 40. The pursuit continued for about eight miles from the location where the car was stolen before the stolen patrol vehicle collided head-on with a pickup truck, resulting in fatalities for the woman, the truck's driver, and one of its passengers. The sole surviving passenger from the pickup truck is in critical condition and fighting for their life at a local hospital, per the latest from the troopers. An investigation is underway to determine how the woman was able to steal the patrol vehicle and what led her to do so. As the community mourns the loss of these lives, strict road diversions are in place as an official investigation is underway to determine the exact sequence of events and any pertinent factors that led to the tragic crash. In this fraught time, the Florida Highway Patrol and Marion County Sheriff’s Office are striving to support the community, ensure thorough investigations, and implement any necessary changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future. As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with relevant information or footage from the scene to come forward and assist with the case. Additional discussions have also arisen regarding potential protocol changes for officers responding to disturbances. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this devastating accident, and we hope for a swift resolution and closure for the victims and their families.