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Ocala man killed when tree falls on car during severe storm

OCALA, Fla. — Ocala police said a man was killed when a tree fell on his car during a severe storm Monday afternoon.

Police said Christopher Harris, 28, was sitting in the car in his driveway in the 2300 block of NE 10th Court when the tree fell.

According to police, a tree from a neighbor's yard fell across the car, killing the man. The tree also fell across the neighbor's unoccupied vehicle.

Police said the neighbor who lives next door to Harris arrived home with her grandchildren just a few minutes before the tree fell.

She told police she heard the tree fall.

When she came out, she said she saw her car and Harris' car, crushed.

Ocala police said no one saw the tree fall first-hand, but the sound could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

The victim's brother rushed out to find the oak tree on top of Harris' car.

Lt. Scott Fosler with Ocala police said the family is very upset.

"It's a tragedy. They're upset. It's a young man who was born in 1985 and now his life is over. It's terrible," Fosler said.

Authorities said the tree came down during a strong line of afternoon storms that tore through central Florida.

Neighbor Michael Powell said it was so dark, he couldn't see outside the windows of the house.

Police said they don't know if Harris was leaving or arriving home.

The entire tree was uprooted, police said.

"(The neighbor) heard the tree fall, and it crushed her car in two. Minutes before, she escaped the fate of this gentleman here this afternoon," Fosler said.