Felony suspect causes crash while running from Marion County deputies, troopers say

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — An Ocala woman and her daughter were injured in a crash caused by a man who was running from deputies Wednesday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the unidentified suspect was westbound on State Road 40 in Ocala just before 3:30 p.m., actively fleeing from a deputy at a high rate of speed.

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According to FHP, the suspect ran a red light at the intersection of SR 40 and SW 80th Ave and collided with a pickup truck that was attempting to make a left turn onto SW 80th Ave.

The 33-year-old woman driving the truck and her 10-year-old daughter were both taken to Shands UF Hospital to be treated for minor injuries.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Michael Douglas Bishop of Ocala, was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center in critical condition.

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A third vehicle received minor damage from crash debris striking it, but the driver wasn’t injured.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Bishop was being investigated for a felony battery incident.

Deputies say he grabbed the victim by the hair and strangled her to the extent that she pretended to be dead in order to make him stop.

When Bishop left, the victim got up and called for help.

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Deputies say Bishop has a history of arrests for violent crimes. He’s charged with domestic battery by strangulation and aggravated fleeing or eluding police while causing an injury or property damage.

The crash remains under investigation by FHP.

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