UMATILLA, Lake County, Fla., Nov. 10, 2026 — A Lake County woman died on Monday morning, November 9, when a driver fleeing police crashed into her car near Umatilla, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The man behind the wheel of the other vehicle was hospitalized with serious injuries.
The woman, a 44-year-old Umatilla resident, was driving on Guerrant Street toward the intersection with State Road 19 around 4:30 a.m. A man driving a 2018 Nissan Frontier was heading south on SR 19 when he reportedly ran a red light at the intersection and hit the left side of her car.
She was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was taken to a hospital, and the crash is now an active criminal investigation with charges pending.
Before the crash, the Umatilla Police Department had tried to stop the Nissan because it had reportedly been reported stolen, which authorities said caused the driver to flee.
Investigators continue reviewing the collision. We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased, and we hope the injured man recovers fully.
Intersection Crashes in Florida
This fatal crash happened at Guerrant Street and State Road 19 in Umatilla, FL. For more on crashes at intersections across Florida, see our intersection safety guide for Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do fatal crashes like this most frequently happen?
Intersections with higher speed limits, especially where a driver runs a red light or stop sign, see a large share of fatal crashes compared with other road types.
What makes a crash more likely to be deadly?
Higher speeds, a vehicle striking the side of another car, and a driver ignoring a traffic signal all raise the chance that a crash will be fatal rather than survivable.
Why does seat belt use matter so much in crashes like this?
A seat belt keeps an occupant positioned during a sudden impact, which lowers the chance of being thrown into the dashboard, windshield or another part of the vehicle.
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