A former football player at the University of Central Florida was killed after his vehicle crashed into another vehicle head-on while he was driving the wrong way on State Road 417.
Mike Merritt, 38, was killed on Saturday, December 17, at around 3:42 a.. in an accident on SR 417 near mile marker 36.
According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, Merritt was driving a 2004 Ford Mustang southbound in the northbound lanes of SR 417 when his vehicle struck a 2012 Honda Odyssey being driven by a 40-year-old Palatka man.
Merritt was transported to AdventHealth East Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The Palatka man was transported as a trauma alert in stable condition to the Orlando Regional Medical Center.
Merritt, who played for the UCF Golden Knights from 2005 to 2007, was a father and beloved friend to many former teammates.
“We lost a great one today! If you played or came in contact with Mike Merritt I know for sure in some way he left a mark on you,” said teammate Mike Sims-Walker on Facebook.
“Mike Merritt literally lit up the locker room and created some of the best moments we had in those spaces we shared,” said teammate Kareem Reid.
A GoFundMe has been established to help Merritt’s son purchase a car, which Merritt had been saving up for.
During his time as a tight end for UCF, Merritt played in 38 games and recorded 17 receptions and 201 yards. Merritt was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft, but never played in for the team and was released in the off-season.