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Cheerleading, Fitness Coach Killed in Five-Vehicle Pileup

Pedro Sanchez, a beloved coach, mentor and friend, was killed in a five-vehicle pileup last Monday not far from where he trained children in gymnastics, dance and other activities.  Parents and coaches at Ocala Elite, where Sanchez worked, mourned his death after hearing the tragic news of the accident.

Regina Catania, the co-owner of Ocala Elite, had owned the program with Sanchez.  “Everyone loved him here.  He was a wonderful person who cared about the kids that came here,” said Catania.  Catania and Sanchez had owned Ocala Elite for the last six months. 

Sanchez was a cheerleading and fitness coach.   His best friend, Jim Moore said “cheerleading was his life.”

According to Catania, Sanchez was on his way back from the bank when the crash took place.  He was killed at the intersection of Northeast 14th Street and Northeast 25th Avenue.  The accident was near Ocala Elite, which is located at 1601 N.E. 25th Avenue.

Preliminary investigation by the Ocala Police Department shows that a gold Kia Sedona minivan was heading north on Northeast 25th Avenue when it hit the right rear corner of a Suzuki sport utility vehicle and then hit a silver Acura.  Officials stated that the Acura then hit the rear of a red Ford Explorer, which struck the back of a red Cadillac DeVille.

Three people sustained minor injuries in the crash and were taken to Munroe Regional Medical Center for treatment.  Another three individuals who were also in the crash were not injured.

Sanchez had to be removed from his vehicle by Ocala Fire Rescue.  His death marked the ninth traffic fatality in the city this year, which is an increase from the seven traffic fatalities in 2007.  The accident was the county’s second fatal five-car pileup in a month’s time.  The other five-vehicle crash occurred on November 4th, which caused two deaths.

This year, Northeast 14th Street has been considered a dangerous roadway for both motorists and pedestrians.

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