Ocala Officer Involved In Head-On Collision Released From Hospital

An Ocala Police Sergeant was released from the hospital earlier this week after surviving a tragic event.

On August 26, Ocala Police were working a crash scene at the intersection of S Pine Ave. and SW 17th St. Reportedly, an oncoming driver (later identified as 44-year-old Kristopher Kent Winningham) sped through the intersection and struck a parked patrol vehicle and a pedestrian. The pedestrian passed away at the hospital due to injuries.

According to police, Winningham fled the scene, prompting a police pursuit along SE Maricamp Rd in the 3000 block of SE Maricamp Rd., near First Baptist of Ocala, where Sgt. Ron Malone was preparing to deploy stop sticks.

Winningham then collided head-on with Malone’s patrol car while he was inside, in an apparent intentional act. Malone sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital. Winningham was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Gift For Sgt. Malone

When Zachary Smith, the owner of Heroic Hands Woodworks, learned that Sgt. Malone was seriously injured in a head-on collision while on duty, he decided to do something special for him. Zachary crafted this wonderful wooden flag to express his gratitude for Sgt. Malone’s service and to extend warm wishes for his speedy recovery.

(Photo: Ocala Police Department)

Leaving The Hospital

Ocala Police Department’s Sgt. Ron Malone leaves the hospital after a 17-day stay. According to Ocala Police, in what may have been an intentional act, a man collided head-on with Sgt. Malone’s patrol car at more than 90 miles-per-hour with Malone still inside of it. (Photo: Ocala Police Department)