UPDATE: Story updated to include the release of the mug shot of Jacob Steven Michael Carmack.
OCALA, FL (352today.com) – UPDATE 1:17 p.m. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has released the mug shot of 23-year-old Jacob Steven Michael Carmack. Initially, the sheriff’s office said it could not release it because of a state law that protects current and former sworn law enforcement personnel from having private information released.
MCSO said it took a closer look at the statute and determined Carmack is not exempt, “This (the statute) would require the person to be employed by a law enforcement agency for their information to be exempt. A law enforcement agency does not employ Mr. Carmack; he is employed by a private entity that has contracted with the state or a county to manage a prison or jail. As such, they are not entitled to have their information exempted.”
ORIGINAL 9:59 a.m.: The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) has arrested a man for leaving the scene of a crash that left another man with serious injuries. They say the crash that left a Corvette smashed to pieces was the result of high-speed street racing.
Troopers arrested 23-year-old Jacob Steven Michael Carmack from Ocala on multiple charges connected to the wreck.
Street Racing
According to FHP, on Saturday, Nov. 18, a Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Corvette were speeding while traveling westbound on State Road 200. Troopers say the two vehicles were also changing lanes multiple times and were driving recklessly while racing each other.
They say this resulted in the Corvette hitting a Toyota Prius that was also driving on SR 200 near the area of SW 80th St. FHP says the Corvette veered off the roadway, slammed into a utility pole and a tree – leaving behind wreckage scattered for yards.
Troopers say the driver of the Mustang then hid himself in the parking lot of a local business. They say he checked on the driver of the Corvette who had been ejected from the vehicle and then left the scene.
FHP says the 38-year-old male driving the Corvette suffered serious injuries.
Call for Tips
On November 20, FHP released pictures asking the public to help identify the driver of the Mustang. Through further investigation and tips received, they say they identified Carmack as the driver.
Troopers arrested Carmack on Tuesday, Nov. 27, and charged him with:
- one count of reckless driving resulting in seriously bodily injuries to another (felony)
- one count of a crash involving death or personal injuries for failure to remain on the scene of a crash resulting in seriously bodily injury to another (felony)
- one count for racing on a highway (misdemeanor)
More Details
352today searched for Carmack’s mug shot on the Marion County jail website. When we couldn’t find it, we reached out to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and learned that Carmack is a Correctional Officer with CoreCivic in Citrus County. An MCSO spokesperson says state law “permits the exception of public record disclosure of certain personal information of specified current or former public officers and public employees, their spouse, and their children. Due to Mr. Carmack’s employment, he signed the public records exemption request, and we cannot release his mug shot,” stated the public information officer in an emailed response.
FHP said an elderly couple in the Prius was not injured in the wreck that sent their car into the median.