FHP: Pickup Driver Failed To Maintain Lane In Double Fatal Walnut Hill Crash

January 26, 2025

The Florida Highway Patrol says a pickup truck driver caused a double fatal three-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Walnut Hill.

The crash happened on Highway 97 just south of North Highway 99 and involved two pickup trucks and a passenger car.

FHP said Saturday a pickup driven by a 27-year-old Cantonment man was traveling south on Highway 97 midday Thursday when the driver “failed to maintain his lane of travel and collided with 2 vehicles traveling northbound.”

The pickup struck a Mazda sedan, which left the roadway and collided with a large fence post. The driver of the Mazda, a 30-year-old female from Molino, and her passenger, a 66-year-old female from Molino, were both pronounced deceased on the scene.

After the initial collision, the first pickup struck a northbound pickup drive by a 54-year-old Milton man.  The first pickup truck came to rest upside down on Highway 97. That driver was airlifted to the hospital with what troopers said were minor injuries. The second pickup ran off the road and struck a ditch; that driver was not seriously injured.

There was no obvious snow or ice on the roadway following the crash.

FHP said Saturday that the crash remains under investigation, and that fatal crash investigations can take six to nine months or more to be finalized.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “FHP: Pickup Driver Failed To Maintain Lane In Double Fatal Walnut Hill Crash”

  1. NoYouDidNot on January 30th, 2025 8:58 am

    Mnon- there could be any number of reasons that truck left his lane. Maybe wait until the facts are all out there before calling for 40 years in the pen.

  2. Katica Mandic on January 28th, 2025 10:06 am

    Me and my family are very sorry about losing your wife and daughter. YIou will be in our prayers. Katica and family

  3. Friend on January 26th, 2025 11:46 am

    Prayers for the family and church that have been devastated by this loss.They were both shining lights in this community and impacted so many lives. There is comfort and hope in the fact that they both were eager to see their Savior face to face whenever He called them home.

  4. Charlotte Bates on January 26th, 2025 11:25 am

    This breaks my heart for the family of the two deceased ladies. Praying God will give you strength and courage to deal with this most difficult situation.

  5. Kyle on January 26th, 2025 11:11 am

    Prayers to the family members.Patience is a rare virtue
    These days!!

  6. Susie on January 26th, 2025 10:58 am

    This is so sad. Blessings to the families of the victims involved. God rest your heart and souls.

  7. mnon on January 26th, 2025 10:49 am

    Manslaughter, 20 years for each death. The end.





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