UMATILLA, Lake County, FL, November 9, 2026: A 44-year-old Umatilla woman died early Monday after a Nissan Frontier ran a red light and struck her Jeep Cherokee. The fatal crash occured at State Road 19 and Guerrant Street.
The Florida Highway Patrol identified the woman as Crystal Daniels. The pickup driver suffered serious injuries, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the Umatilla fatal crash occurred at approximately 4:21 a.m. at State Road 19, also known as Central Avenue, and Guerrant Street.
FHP said an adult man drove a 2018 Nissan Frontier southbound on State Road 19. Investigators reported that the driver entered the intersection against a red traffic signal.
At the same time, Daniels drove a 2019 Jeep Cherokee eastbound on Guerrant Street. The front of the Nissan struck the left side of the Jeep.
The collision caused fatal injuries to Daniels, and emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
The Nissan driver suffered serious injuries.
Emergency personnel initially considered transporting him by helicopter, but dense fog prevented an airlift. Responders instead transported him to a hospital by ground ambulance.
Authorities had not publicly identified the driver in the latest reports reviewed for this article.
FHP continues to handle the traffic Umatilla fatal crash investigation.
Law enforcement officers had attempted to stop the Nissan shortly before the fatal crash.
FHP initially reported that the pickup had been reported stolen and that the driver fled from an attempted Umatilla Police Department traffic stop.
Umatilla Police later clarified that one of its officers initially attempted to stop the pickup after clocking it at approximately 60 mph in a 30 mph zone. The department said the officer did not know at that time that authorities may have considered the vehicle stolen.
Police also said the officer slowed down when the Nissan accelerated away and did not enter a high-speed pursuit.
Because agencies have provided differing accounts regarding the reason for the initial stop, the Umatilla fatal crash investigation will help clarify the sequence of events.
Surveillance footage from businesses and city cameras captured portions of the incident.
FOX 35 Orlando reported that video appeared to show Daniels entering the intersection after receiving a green light. The Nissan then entered the intersection and struck her Jeep.
FHP also reported that the Nissan driver was traveling approximately 60 mph in an area with a 30 mph speed limit before the crash.
Investigators may use this footage, roadway evidence, vehicle damage, witness statements, and electronic information as they reconstruct the collision.
The victim, Crystal Daniels, was a Umatilla resident and mother of two.
Her family told local media that she was traveling to work when the Umatilla fatal crash occurred. The intersection where she died sits only a short distance from her home.
Family members described Daniels as a careful driver and a devoted mother who loved celebrating Christmas with her family.
The crash has also affected the broader Umatilla community, where relatives, neighbors, and friends have begun mourning her death.
The Florida Highway Patrol considers the crash an active criminal investigation.
FHP reported that charges remain pending against the Nissan driver. Umatilla Police Chief David Seeley also said authorities could evaluate serious criminal charges depending on the investigation and the confirmed circumstances surrounding the vehicle.
No final criminal charge or judicial determination had been announced in the latest reporting reviewed for this article.
Any criminal allegations should remain allegations unless prosecutors prove them in court.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the Umatilla fatal crash.
Investigators are examining the crash itself, while authorities continue to clarify the events surrounding the attempted traffic stop before the collision.
Additional information may change the public understanding of the incident as investigators complete their work.
Credits and Attribution
Original reporting: “Driver fleeing Umatilla police crashes into Jeep, kills woman, FHP says,” WESH 2, by Meaghan Mackey, Traffic Anchor. Updated November 9, 2026, at 6:14 p.m. EST.
Information attributed primarily to the Florida Highway Patrol and Umatilla Police Department, including the crash location, vehicle movements, traffic-signal violation, reported speed, fatality, injuries, attempted traffic stop, and continuing investigation. Additional details were cross-checked through WFTV and FOX 35 Orlando reporting.
Original reporting and source material are credited to WESH 2 and Hearst Television. Dennis Hernandez Injury Attorneys independently prepared this summary using publicly reported information.
