In a tragic incident that unfolded in Silver Springs, Florida, three lives were lost and one person was severely injured after a woman stole a sheriff's car and fled the scene. According to authorities, the incident occurred when Kendra Boone, aged 33, attempted to steal an elderly woman's keys and gain access to her vehicle. Although unsuccessful in her initial attempt, Boone's actions prompted a swift response from Deputy Witte of the Marion County Sheriff's Office.
Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Witte directed Boone to stand behind his patrol vehicle. However, as he exited the car, she seized the opportunity and entered the vehicle through the passenger side, ultimately assuming the driver's seat. Deputy Witte immediately tried to remove Boone from the patrol vehicle, but she swiftly sped away at a high rate of speed, initiating a vehicle pursuit.
During the pursuit, Boone's erratic driving behavior and excessive speeds posed a significant danger to both herself and others on the road. Deputy Barnes, another officer responding to the incident, struggled to maintain visual contact as Boone evaded capture by making multiple U-turns and alternating between eastbound and westbound lanes, often exceeding speeds of 100 MPH.
Tragically, the pursuit ended in a devastating collision. As Boone attempted to pass a semi-truck by veering into the right shoulder of the highway, she lost control upon reentering the roadway and crossed into oncoming traffic, colliding with a black pickup truck. By the time Deputy Barnes and other responding officers reached the crash site, Boone and two passengers in the pickup truck were unresponsive.
At the scene of the crash, authorities pronounced Boone and two of the pickup truck passengers dead. The third passenger was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, receiving immediate medical attention. The Florida Highway Patrol has since launched an investigation into the fatal crash to determine its exact cause and sequence of events.
The Marion County Sheriff's Office has not yet provided additional comments on the incident. The tragedy has left the community mourning, and our thoughts go out to the loved ones affected by this devastating event.
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