OCALA, Fla. -- Officials say two pedestrians have died while crossing busy roadways in Ocala on Thanksgiving.
Ocala police say a red Chevrolet Trailblazer struck 23-year-old William McDonald in s crosswalk before fleeing early Thursday. Police later arrested 25-year-old Joseph Stewart on charges of leaving the scene of an accident. He told police panicked when he hit the pedestrian.
The Ocala Star-Banner reports McDonald was home from college for the holiday break.
Later Thursday evening, 42-year-old Patrick Joseph Wisocky was fatally struck as he walked along U.S. 301. It was his birthday.
The Florida Highway Patrol says 49-year-old John Syme was driving the Jeep Cherokee that struck Wisockiy. They say speed was not a factor. An investigation continues.
Associated Press