Two killed in head-on collission

Two High Springs men are dead after one attempted to pass a bicyclist on U.S. Highway 441 Saturday afternoon, resulting in a head-on collision.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) report, Troy E. Bond, 49, was traveling south on U.S. 441 when he crossed the center line to pass a bicyclist also traveling south.  Bond’s 1993 Ford Ranger XLT struck a 1997 Ford F-150 traveling north, driven by Allan Delroy Witt, 71.

According to the report, when the left side of Bond’s vehicle hit the left side of Witt’s vehicle, both vehicles spun counterclockwise.  The Ford Ranger rested on its left side on the west shoulder of the road, while Witt’s F-150 stopped on the east shoulder.

Both motorists were pronounced dead at the scene by Columbia County Emergency Medical Services.  FHP reported that Witt was wearing a seatbelt, while Bond was not.

Bond was a longtime area mechanic, having worked for several years at Roger’s Tire in Alachua.  Considered a jovial person by those who knew him, Bond worked in other area auto parts stores in recent years.

Witt was a lifelong area resident, having been born in High Springs and graduated from Santa Fe High School.  He later became a Gainesville Police Department officer and Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy before retiring.

An investigation into the accident is ongoing and will include toxicology testing, according to FHP reports.