Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed In 2024 Log Truck, Propane Truck Crash That Killed Molino Girl
December 19, 2025
One year after 12-year-old Sofia Bennett of Molino died in a multi-vehicle crash in Pace, a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed against several companies involved in the wreck.
Sofia’s mother, Sandra Bennett-Tidwell, and John Tidwell filed the lawsuit against Timber Contractors Trucking, Parker Gas Company, Inc., and J.E. Estes Wood Company, Inc.
The crash happened about 10:35 a.m. December 18, 2024, on Quintette Road at Tunnel Road in Pace, just east of Five Points. The wreck involved a log truck, a propane delivery truck, and two passenger vehicles, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
According to the FHP report, the crash claimed the life of Sofia Bennett, who was a passenger in an SUV driven by a 50-year-old woman. The woman suffered serious injuries and was taken to an area hospital. The log truck driver, a 47-year-old Bay Minette man, was also seriously injured. The driver of the propane delivery truck and the driver of the second SUV were not injured.
“One year ago today, a young life was taken in a crash that never should have happened,” Attorney Rachael Gilmer of the Levin Papantonio law firm said Thursday. She is representing the plaintiffs in the civil action. “No verdict, no settlement, and no courtroom can return a daughter to her family, but accountability is the only way we honor her memory and ensure that this kind of negligence does not claim another life.”
According to the complaint filed Thursday morning in Santa Rosa County Circuit Court, Sofia was traveling in the front seat of the vehicle her mother was driving on Quintette Road in Santa Rosa County. Chadwick Daniels was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Parker Gas, and Kathryn Shiver was operating a semi-truck as an employee of Timber Contractors. The complaint also states defendant J.E. Estes was handling logistics for the delivery of timber from Timber Contractors.
The lawsuit alleges that, “without cause or warning,” Shiver rear-ended Bennett-Tidwell’s vehicle, which then collided into the Parker Gas truck and became sandwiched between it and the Timber Contractors truck. The Parker Gas truck was allegedly stopped and waiting to make an illegal turn onto Tunnel Road.
The plaintiffs allege that as employers of Shiver and Daniels, Timber Contractors Trucking and Parker Gas Company breached their duty of care, and J.E. Estes negligently breached its duty of care.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Woman Crashes Into Highway 168 Ditch
December 19, 2025
A woman was not seriously injured when she crashed into a ditch Thursday afternoon in Bratt.
The woman lost control on Highway 168 just east of North Highway 99. Her Chevrolet Malibu traveled through a ditch, struck a concrete culvert and landed in a residential driveway.
The Florida Highway Patrol investigated the 3:15 p.m. crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Farm Share Christmas Food Distribution Saturday In Walnut Hill
December 19, 2025
Justified Incarcerated Ministries will host a Farm Share Food Giveaway in Walnut Hill on Saturday.
The Christmas distribution will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last at Bradberry Park, 4760 Highway 99A.
Pictured: A 2024 food distribution in Walnut Hill. File photos, click to enlarge.
Beulah Christmas Parade Is At Noon Saturday
December 19, 2025
The annual Beulah Christmas Parade will be this Saturday, December 20 at nooon.
The parade will begin at Windy Hill Baptist Church on Rebel Road. It will then travel south on Rebel Road, to West Nine Mile Road, to Beulah Road, to Helms Road, to Mobile Highway, continuing through Vintage Creek, Tower Ridge, and Frank Reeder, and then return to Windy Hill Baptist on Rebel Road. For a map provided by organizers, click here.
The parade was rescheduled from December 6 due to weather.
Pictured: The 2024 Beulah Christmas Parade. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Photos: Santa Visits Molino Library
December 19, 2025
Santa made a special visit to the Molino Library on Thursday.
Children were able to take photos with him and share their Christmas wish lists before making Christmas crafts.
For a photos gallery, click here.
Santa has one more library store this year — Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Main Library on Spring Street.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
‘Holiday With The Horses’ (And Santa) Will Be Saturday In Cantonment
December 19, 2025
Santa Claus recently paid a surprise visit to the horses at the Panhandle Equine Rescue in Cantonment and he’ll be back on Saturday for “Holidays with Horses.”
The event is free and open to the public, taking place at PER, 3099 East Chipper Road in Cantonment from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
During the event, photos with Santa will be available with a suggested donation of $20.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Sunny And Cool Friday
December 19, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 58. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 36. North wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Sunday: A 20 percent chance of showers after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 69. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 50. East wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. East wind 5 to 10 mph.
Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. East wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday: Sunny, with a high near 70.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 52.
Christmas Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.
All Star High School Football Game Is Friday Night
December 19, 2025
The Pensacola Sports High School All-Star Football Game returns Friday night, bringing together the area’s top senior athletes for a showcase of talent, teamwork and school pride.
The game will be played at Pine Forest High School with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The annual matchup features East vs. West squads made up of graduating seniors from Escambia, Santa Rosa and Okaloosa counties. The All-Star Football Game gives fans one more chance to cheer on their favorite players before they take the next step in their athletic and academic journeys.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students..
Players are:
WEST
Head Coach Kerry McDowell, Pine Forest
- Elijah West — Tate, (WR)
- JO Calderon — Tate, (OT)
- John Flynn — Tate, (DL)
- Kameron Williams — Tate, (CB)
- Kaven Powell — Tate, (C/G)
- Laquarius Bradford — Tate, (RB)
- Maleak North — Tate, (LB)
- Cole Davis — Northview, (LB)
- Sam Reid — Northview, (TE/P)
- Chris Oliver — West Florida, (CB)
- Frank Likely — West Florida, (WR)
- Javon Carlisle — West Florida, (DL)
- Tyree Caldwell — West Florida, (LB)
- Waylon Whitaker — West Florida, (OT)
- Xavier Finley — West Florida, (QB)
- Bailey Brazzell — Catholic, (C)
- Bryce Cannon — Catholic, (DL)
- Caden Jasso — Catholic, (WR)
- Gavin Lashley — Catholic, (S)
- Kaleb Johnson — Catholic, (LB)
- RJ Brown — Catholic, (G)
- Adrion Battle — Escambia, (DL)
- Billy Dunn — Escambia, (QB)
- D’Jaylan Benjamin — Escambia, (S)
- Daniel McDaniel — Escambia, (WR)
- Jadyn Minor — Escambia, (DL)
- Kade Rollins — Escambia, (DL)
- Keegan Britt — Escambia, (H/TE)
- Nick Brown — Escambia, (G/C)
- Reilly Campbell — Escambia, (K)
- Xion Miller — Escambia, (OL)
- Courtney George — Pensacola, (RB)
- Jamarcus Fountain — Pensacola, (QB)
- Tyjaylin Cunningham — Pensacola, (LB)
- Demetress Mosely — Pine Forest, (DL)
- Jaserie Brown — Pine Forest, (DL)
- Mikkell Davis — Pine Forest, (S)
- RJ Payne — Pine Forest, (LB)
- Trey Johnson — Pine Forest, (CB)
- Da’Sean Bohanan — Washington, (RB)
- Darius Stallworth — Washington, (S)
- Josiah Brown — Washington, (CB)
- Kasey Marvin — Washington, (G)
- Kolby Saladino — Washington, (LB)
- Tanner Rogers — Washington, (WR)
- Chris Oliver — West Florida, (CB)
- Frank Likely — West Florida, (WR)
- Javon Carlisle — West Florida, (DL)
- Tyree Caldwell — West Florida, (LB)
- Waylon Whitaker — West Florida, (OT)
- Xavier Finley — West Florida, (QB)
EAST
Head Coach: Jim Stomps, Gulf Breze
- Declin Crawford — Baker, (DL)
- Justice Baldwin — Baker, (QB)
- Makani Abdon — Baker, (G)
- Riley Renfro — Baker, (WR)
- Greyson Locklear — Central, (P/WR)
- Keaton Henry — Central, (DL)
- Alante Reese — Choctaw, (S)
- Ashton Laberge — Choctaw, (OT)
- Ellis Alloway — Choctaw, (LB)
- Jaylen Brazen — Choctaw, (CB)
- Mario Alloway — Choctaw, (DL)
- Tamen Zabitakis — Choctaw, (QB)
- Zion Legree — Choctaw, (CB)
- Brody Golightly — Crestview, (LB)
- Gab Holland — Crestview, (DL)
- Gabe Gottlieb — Crestview, (CB)
- Jordan Stoudmire — Crestview, (DL)
- Max Anderson — Crestview, (S)
- Patrick Rogers — Crestview, (WR)
- Sean Johns — Crestview, (CB)
- Trey Hardman — Crestview, (K)
- Gabe Escalera — Destin, (CB)
- Josh Reifscheider — Destin, (G/OT)
- Junior Harris — Destin, (RB)
- Charles Lily — Ft. Walton Beach, (DL)
- Noah Perez — Gulf Breeze, (LB/LS)
- Aiden Spratt — Milton, (LB)
- Brendan Farish — Milton, (TE)
- Bryce Baxley — Milton, (C)
- Iryn Fleming — Milton, (DL)
- Jaxson Strickland — Milton, (OT)
- Chase Moses — Navarre, (S)
- Jacob Bishop — Navarre, (P)
- Marquez White — Navarre, (WR)
- Caleb Sartori — Niceville, (LB)
- Harper Campbell — Niceville, (LB)
- Jace Schmidt — Niceville, (G)
- Jayden Tercero — Niceville, (WR)
- Palmer Collins — Niceville, (C)
- Aiden Carter — Pace, (TE)
- Bowen Iorg — Pace, (LB)
- Braiden Cheshire — Pace, (S)
- Caleb Nelson — Pace, (K)
- Chance Baird — Pace, (G)
- Jonathan Jimenez — Pace, (DL)
- Tagg Strickenberger — Pace, (RB)
- Aiden White — Rocky Bayou, (OL)
- Hartley Register — Rocky Bayou, (RB)
- Joseph Savoie — Rocky Bayou, (WR)
Cantonment Man Charged As ‘Super Speeder’ For 102 MPH On Highway 29
December 18, 2025
A 21-year-old Cantonment man was charged under Florida’s “super speeder” law after troopers say he was clocked at 102 mph in a 45 mph zone on Highway 29.
Andrew Thomas Heck was charged with operating a vehicle exceeding the speed limit by more than 50 mph.
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was northbound on Highway 29 near Nine Mile Road when he met a red passenger vehicle that was traveling at 102 mph in the posted 45 mph zone, according to an FHP report. The trooper conducted a traffic stop just north of Nine Mile Road.
He was immediately placed under arrest. Heck, according to the report, told the trooper that he had “no reason to be going that fast.”
West Highway 4 To Close Near Highway 97 Next Week
December 18, 2025
A portion of West Highway 4 between Highway 97 and Pine Barren Church Road will be closed to through traffic beginning Monday, December 22, while crews replace a pipe under the roadway.
Traffic will be detoured along Pine Barren Church Road.
The road is expected to reopen by Wednesday, December 24, weather permitting.
Residents, pedestrians, and emergency vehicles will have access to properties within the work area at all times; however, there may be short periods when a driveway or entrance may be blocked temporarily as equipment and materials are moved during construction.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.