14-year-old driver killed in Ocala crash that nearly split SUV in half

OCALA, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy was killed Monday evening when he crashed his grandmother’s SUV after taking it for a drive in Ocala, police said.

Javariy Wilson lived with his grandmother in Ocala, not far from the crash site on NW 42nd Street, the Ocala Star-Banner reported.

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His grandmother, Jennifer Redish, told investigators that she told the teen to take out the trash. When he didn’t come back inside the house, she looked out and noticed her Chevrolet Trailblazer was missing, Ocala police said.

The grandmother went looking for him and came upon the crash site, police said.

She told investigators the teen would often sit in her vehicle to listen to music, but he wasn’t allowed to drive it.

“He was a fun person. He was loved by everyone,” his grandmother told the newspaper on Tuesday.

His mother, Ketedra Wilson-Taylor, said her son had “an amazing smile” and was “a lively person” who loved football.

“Football was his passion. He had a sense of humor, and he knows how to put a smile on your face,” she said.

Marion County Public School officials said Wilson was involved in the Marion County Youth Football League.

Wilson was in 7th grade at Silver River Mentoring and Instruction and his home school was North Marion Middle School.

Grief counselors were available Tuesday at North Marion Middle School.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.