A preliminary accident report was released Tuesday and identifies the driver of a Jeep critically injured when his vehicle hit a pole at the entrance to Water Oak.

Don Daffron, 60, of Clermont had been at the wheel of the 2003 Jeep Wrangler at about 7:30 p.m. July 28, according to the report from the Lady Lake Police Department.

Emergency responders were on the scene of the accident July 28 at the entrance to Water Oak.
Emergency responders were on the scene of the accident July 28 at the entrance to Water Oak.

Daffron had reportedly been on his way home from property he owns in the Ocala National Forest and was traveling southbound on U.S. Hwy. 27/441. He may have suffered a medical episode when his Jeep suddenly crossed the northbound lanes of traffic and hit a concrete utility pole at Water Oak Boulevard.

Crews worked through the night and most of Friday after a Jeep took out a utility pool.
Crews worked through the night and most of Friday after a Jeep took out a utility pole.

Daffron was initially transported to The Villages Regional Hospital but was then transferred to Ocala Regional Medical Center.

Crews remained on the scene of the accident throughout the following day, replacing the suspended signal lights that crashed to the roadway as a result of the collision with the post.

Daffron remains in critical condition, according to a family member.

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