[PHOTO CREDIT: Lake County Sheriff’s Office]
[Original Publish Date: 04/15/21]
FRUITLAND PARK — A man’s body was recovered from Lake Griffin more than 12 hours after he jumped off Picciola Bridge following a traffic crash, authorities said Thursday.
Just after midnight Thursday, Fruitland Park Police Department responded to a crash that occurred on Picciola Road, Lake County Sheriff’s Office Lt. John Herrell said.
Witnesses reported that a driver, later identified as Ojay Cummings, 23, of Leesburg, fled the scene and a FPPD officer saw him jump from the bridge, Herrell said. Officers with FPPD, LCSO deputies and an LCSO drone unit immediately searched for the man but were unable to find him. FPPD requested a more extensive search during daylight hours Thursday and the LCSO dive team found the man’s body just after 12:30 p.m.
Cummings was in possession of the car involved in the crash and his phone was found in the car, Herrell said. There is an active investigation into Cummings’ death by LCSO and FPPD is investigating the crash.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
