Word has been received of the death of the brother, Russ Middleton, of Wayland High School graduate Rick Middleton, 73, in a bizarre traffic crash Thursday, Feb. 1, near Ocala, Fla.
Rick Middleton was driving his truck in Marion County when it was struck by an SUV stolen from a sheriff’s deputy by Kendra Dalyn Boone, 33. She was speeding away from pursuit by authorities, reportedly driving recklessly.
Boone also died in the crash, as did an unidentified woman passenger in Middleton’s truck. Russell Middleton 74, was seriously injured and taken to a nearby hospital, where he died later of his injuries.
Rick, his girlfriend and the other driver of the stolen vehicle were killed on the scene. Russ was severely injured, suffering broken bones from his shoulders down to his feet. The immediate concern at the hospital was for a brain aneurysm. They were able to get that under control, but then his body went into a coma state to try to heal. He was placed on breathing support.
Russell and Rick Middleton both attended Wayland High School in the late 1960s.