1 dead, 1 critical in Columbia County crash

FHP: Car struck a tree killing passenger, driver was ejected

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – One person is dead and another in critical condition after a car they were in struck a tree in Columbia County Sunday evening, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

19-year-old Michaela Johnson, of Lake City, was driving a 1996 Chevy Corvette west on Pinemount Road, just east of Southwest Jafus Avenue at a high rate of speed, according to FHP.

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24-year-old Lamarr Dell, of Lake City, was the passenger of the vehicle.

Around 6:25 p.m., FHP said the car traveled off of the roadway onto the grassy area. Johnson attempted to correct the path, but failed to maintain control.

According to an FHP report, the car began to spin across the roadway and the right passenger side struck a large oak tree.

At impact, Johnson was ejected and landed in front of the car, according to FHP.

The passenger, Lamarr Dell, died at the scene, according to Life Guard EMS who responded to the crash.

Johnson was transported to Shands Health in Gainesville in critical condition.

Johnson and Dell were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

FHP says alcohol may have been a factor to the crash and charges are pending against the driver.