An off-duty Gainesville Police Department officer was seriously injured after his marked patrol SUV collided with the rear of a Marion County school bus that was stopped to pick up children in Ocala, Florida, on Friday morning, October 16, 2026.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), the crash occurred at approximately 6:55 a.m. on Southwest 49th Avenue Road at the intersection of Southwest 82nd Place Road.
The school bus was stopped in the southbound outside lane with its flashing lights activated and stop signs extended when the officer’s Ford Explorer struck it from behind.
Thirteen students were aboard the bus, along with a 37-year-old driver and a 54-year-old bus aide.
A 9-year-old student, the bus driver and the bus aide were transported to AdventHealth Ocala with minor injuries.
The Gainesville police officer sustained very serious injuries and was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital.