Crystal Daniels, 44, Killed in Umatilla Crash After Driver Flees Police in Stolen Truck

A 44-year-old woman was killed in a crash in Umatilla, Florida, early Monday morning, November 9, 2026, after a driver fleeing a traffic stop in a reportedly stolen pickup truck ran a red light and struck her vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).

The fatal collision occurred shortly before 4:30 a.m. at the intersection of State Road 19 (Central Avenue) and Guerrant Street in Lake County.

Troopers identified the victim as Crystal Daniels, 44, of Umatilla.

Daniels was driving a 2019 Jeep Cherokee eastbound on Guerrant Street when a southbound 2018 Nissan Frontier ran a red light and crashed into the side of her vehicle.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Nissan’s driver, an adult man whose identity has not been publicly released, was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

According to FHP, Umatilla police had attempted to stop the Nissan because it had been reported stolen. The driver fled before the collision.

Authorities said the crash is being investigated as a criminal matter, with charges pending.

What Happened in the Fatal Umatilla Crash?

According to a November 9 report from WESH 2 News, the collision happened shortly before 4:30 a.m. at State Road 19 and Guerrant Street in Umatilla.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that a 2018 Nissan Frontier was traveling southbound on SR-19.

At the same time, Crystal Daniels was traveling eastbound on Guerrant Street in a 2019 Jeep Cherokee.

Troopers said the Nissan driver failed to stop for a red traffic signal at the intersection.

The pickup truck entered the intersection and struck the side of Daniels’ Jeep.

The impact caused fatal injuries to Daniels, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Nissan driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to a hospital.

FHP subsequently confirmed that the pickup truck had been reported stolen and that its driver had fled an attempted traffic stop by the Umatilla Police Department before the collision.

Investigators have not released the precise distance between the attempted traffic stop and the crash scene or the amount of time that passed between those events.

Crystal Daniels, 44, Identified as Woman Killed

Authorities identified the woman who died as Crystal Daniels, a 44-year-old Umatilla resident.

Daniels was driving her Jeep Cherokee when the Nissan Frontier struck the side of her vehicle at the intersection.

She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her death has left a family and community facing a sudden and heartbreaking loss.

What began as an early morning drive ended in tragedy following another driver’s reported decision to flee a traffic stop and disregard a red light.

The available report does not provide additional information about Daniels’ family, occupation, or destination that morning.

We extend our deepest condolences to her loved ones and everyone mourning her death.

Nissan Driver Seriously Injured After Fleeing Traffic Stop

The driver of the Nissan Frontier was an adult man who has not been publicly identified by the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers reported that he sustained serious injuries in the crash and was transported to a hospital.

His current medical condition has not been released.

According to FHP, the Umatilla Police Department had attempted to stop the Nissan because the vehicle had been reported stolen.

The driver reportedly fled from that attempted stop before reaching the intersection of SR-19 and Guerrant Street.

The available report does not specify whether officers were actively pursuing the vehicle at the moment of the collision.

Authorities have not released information about how fast the Nissan was traveling or whether any additional traffic violations occurred before the crash.

Where Did the Crash Occur in Umatilla?

The fatal collision happened at the intersection of State Road 19 (Central Avenue) and Guerrant Street in Umatilla, Lake County.

According to FHP, the Nissan Frontier was traveling south on SR-19, while Daniels’ Jeep Cherokee was traveling east on Guerrant Street.

Troopers said the Nissan entered the intersection against a red traffic signal and struck the side of the Jeep.

The crash occurred just before 4:30 a.m., during the early morning hours.

Authorities have not released details about visibility, weather, roadway conditions, or traffic volume at the time.

Although the collision occurred before sunrise, the report does not establish whether darkness or any environmental condition contributed to the crash.

The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the circumstances.

What Caused the Fatal Collision?

The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a reported traffic signal violation as a central factor in the crash.

According to troopers, the Nissan Frontier driver ran a red light while traveling southbound on SR-19 and struck Daniels’ Jeep Cherokee.

FHP also reported that the driver had fled an attempted traffic stop involving a stolen vehicle.

These findings establish the preliminary sequence of events described by authorities.

However, investigators have not released a full crash reconstruction.

Additional questions may include:

• The Nissan’s speed before entering the intersection
• Whether the driver attempted to brake before impact
• The timing of the traffic signal changes
• The distance between the attempted traffic stop and the collision
• Whether surveillance or dashboard camera footage captured the incident
• Whether the Nissan driver was impaired
• Whether any other factors contributed to the collision

The report does not indicate that impairment was suspected or confirmed.

Investigators will need to review the available evidence before reaching final conclusions about all contributing factors.

FHP Says Criminal Charges Are Pending

The Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that the crash is being handled as an active criminal investigation.

Troopers said charges are pending against the Nissan driver.

The specific charges had not been announced in the November 9 report.

Because the investigation is ongoing, authorities have not publicly identified the driver or provided a timeline for when charges may be filed.

The circumstances described by FHP, including the reported stolen vehicle, fleeing an attempted traffic stop, and running a red light, may be relevant to potential criminal charges.

However, it would be premature to state which offenses the driver will face before authorities formally announce them.

A criminal investigation may also involve evidence separate from the physical reconstruction of the collision, including the circumstances surrounding the reported vehicle theft and attempted traffic stop.

Florida Laws Regarding Red-Light Violations and Fatal Crashes

Florida law requires motorists to obey traffic control signals.

Under Florida Statute § 316.075, drivers facing a steady red signal generally must stop before entering an intersection and remain stopped until permitted to proceed, subject to applicable exceptions.

According to FHP, the Nissan Frontier driver disregarded a red signal at SR-19 and Guerrant Street before striking Daniels’ Jeep.

Florida law also addresses reckless driving under § 316.192.

Whether a driver’s actions meet the legal definition of reckless driving depends on the evidence and circumstances, rather than the outcome of a collision alone.

Additionally, Florida law provides criminal penalties for certain conduct involving fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement officers under § 316.1935.

The applicability of that statute depends on specific legal requirements and facts about the attempted stop.

Although FHP reported that the Nissan driver fled Umatilla police, the available report does not establish which criminal charges will ultimately be filed.

Legal Options Following a Fatal Crash in Florida

When a motor vehicle collision results in a death, surviving family members may have questions about whether they have legal options in addition to any criminal proceedings.

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, found in Florida Statutes §§ 768.16 through 768.26, allows certain claims when a person’s death results from another party’s negligence or other legally actionable conduct.

Depending on the circumstances, eligible survivors and the deceased person’s estate may be entitled to recover damages recognized under Florida law.

These may include funeral expenses, loss of support and services, and certain other losses.

A civil wrongful death claim is separate from a criminal prosecution.

Criminal proceedings focus on whether a defendant violated criminal law, while a civil case may address whether legally actionable conduct caused a death and resulted in compensable losses.

In a crash involving a reportedly stolen vehicle, identifying applicable insurance coverage and legally responsible parties may require additional investigation.

The available report does not identify the Nissan’s owner or describe any insurance coverage.

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury and Wrongful Death Law Firm, our attorneys represent families who have lost loved ones in fatal motor vehicle collisions throughout Florida. We recognize the importance of conducting a careful investigation while approaching grieving families with sensitivity and respect.

Investigation Continues Into Fatal Umatilla Crash

The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the November 9, 2026, crash that killed 44-year-old Crystal Daniels in Umatilla.

According to troopers, Daniels was driving eastbound on Guerrant Street when a Nissan Frontier traveling southbound on SR-19 ran a red light and struck her Jeep Cherokee.

The Nissan driver had reportedly fled an attempted traffic stop by Umatilla police involving a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

Daniels died at the scene, while the Nissan driver was hospitalized with serious injuries.

FHP confirmed that the collision remains an active criminal investigation and that charges are pending.

Authorities have not released the driver’s identity or announced specific charges.

As investigators work to establish the full circumstances of the crash, our thoughts remain with Crystal Daniels’ family and loved ones during this difficult time.