Williston, FL : Teenager killed in a single-vehicle crash on County Road 318 in Williston on Monday, January 5, 2015

A Williston teenager was killed in a single-vehicle crash along a rural two-lane road in western Marion County Monday night.

Jonathen Joseph Stuart Bishop, 17, was driving a Dodge Ram pickup west on County Road 318 and was coming around a curve when, for an unknown reason, he lost control and struck a sign, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The truck then traveled several more yards before hitting a pine tree.

Law enforcement officials said some teenagers passing by the area noticed the truck just sitting there. Then a nurse passed by, stopped and, checking the driver, failed to find a pulse.

Family members of the deceased, who had not seen him come home and were concerned, went looking for him. They then saw the vehicle.

FHP troopers said a call about the crash, which was in a dark stretch of CR 318 near Northwest 160th Avenue, came in shortly before 10 p.m.

Family members on scene were too distraught to talk with a reporter.

“They're a wonderful, close-knit family, and you hate to see something like this happen to such a fine family in our community,” said Gerald Hethcoat, mayor of Williston.

The boy was known as “Stewie.” He was a junior at Williston High School, which resumed classes on Tuesday after the winter break.

“The entire faculty, staff and students are shocked and saddened with the sudden loss,” said Principal Eulin Gibbs on Tuesday. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family.”

Source :
Driver killed when pickup crashes on CR 318