How the crash happened
On Feb. 26, the crash report states, Pagano was driving his patrol vehicle westbound on 17th Street in the inside lane approaching 22nd Avenue.
An older model Jeep Wrangler pulled out from 22nd Avenue, attempting to turn left onto 17th.
The vehicles collided. The damage was extensive. The patrol vehicle struck a tree and briefly caught fire. The Jeep struck a concrete crosswalk pole.
A witness told officers that Pagano was speeding and did not have his emergency lights or siren activated.
The Jeep driver, James Riley Montgomery, 71, of Ocala, was taken to a hospital for treatment of rib and pelvic fractures, officials said. He could not be reached for comment. Pagano also suffered minor injuries.
Veteran Ocala theater actor charged with molesting boy years ago
A veteran local theater actor accused of repeatedly molesting a boy several years ago has been arrested by Ocala police and charged with sexual battery.
Claude Alexander Pinkston Jr., 73, allegedly sexually molested the boy, then 11 or 12, on more than one occasion after the two met at the Ocala Civic Theatre in the summer of 2014 while doing a play.
A report was made to the Department of Children and Families in 2017 but the boy later recanted. He came forward again recently, telling authorities he didn t want Pinkston doing it to anyone else.