Young Bratt Man Critical After Nashville Hit And Run On His Birthday; Mom Pleads For Justice
May 20, 2025
A young Bratt man is recovering in a Nashville hospital after he was hit by a car that fled the scene.
Zachary Carach survived, but he’s facing a lengthy recovery.
Zach, his mother Sheena, and other relatives were in Nashville celebrating his 21st birthday together as a family.
“Our little family spent a wonderful day in Nashville, celebrating the 21st birthday of our son… as in 21 years ago on May 18th this baby blessed our lives” Sheena said in a message to NorthEscambia.com from Nashville just hours after the hit-and-run. “He has been dealt a hard hand his whole life, living with chronic kidney disease, losing a kidney at 7-year-soldo, having to have major spinal surgery at 16 and spending numerous days in the hospital for autoimmune issues. But this weekend was full of fun and celebration for him, because no one deserves it more. That is until it wasn’t.”
A surveillance video shows Zach, a 2022 Northview High School graduate, look both ways about 6 p.m. Sunday, before crossing Nashville’s Church Street in a clearly marked crosswalk. There’s a flashing signal, and a yellow sign noting that Tennessee law requires drivers to yield for pedestrians in crosswalks. It happened a few blocks from landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena. He’s hit by a Mitsubishi Mirage, throwing him into the air. The car did not stop.
Sheena ran to her son’s side, and she’s remained by his side as he recovers. She’s on a mission to find the driver responsible.
“While crossing in the crosswalk, my precious son was ran over like a piece of garbage and left for dead in the road. Witnessing this as a mom, was the most horrific day of my life and then to rewatch it on video and see his feet above his head and his head slam the ground was mortifying.”
She expressed difficulties in getting what she, a former police officer, felt was a proper investigation. And that’s not the Carach family’s only connection to law enforcement. You may remember the NorthEscambia.com stories about Zach’s younger brother “Donut Boy” Tyler Carach. While Tyle was a student at Byrneville Elementary School, he set out on a mission to thank and provide doughnuts for law enforcement agencies across the country. And he did just that in all 50 states, and made numerous national TV appearances on the CBS Evening News, Today Show, Steve Harvey and countless local TV stations He was also honored by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
But now, the family is focused on Zach’s recovery and finding the hit-and-run driver.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department has confirmed that they now actively investigating the case.
“Please help us find this inhuman person who ran over my baby and kept rolling,” Sheena said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at (615) 742-7463.
Photos/images for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
‘You Are Champions’: Escambia Westgate Class Of 2025 Celebrates Graduation
May 20, 2025
The Escambia Westgate School Class of 2025 graduated on Monday.
Escambia Westgate School serves students from pre-K through high school with varying exceptionalities.
“We, all of us, are so very proud of you,” Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne said. “The one one thing I want you to remember from all of us here is that you are loved. You are champions, and we will see you and the great things that you will do the way only you can do it in the future.”
For a photo gallery, click here.
The guest speaker was Grant Nunley, a 15-year-old freshman from Escambia High School. Nunley, who was born with spastic dyskinetic quadriplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), advocates for those with disabilities and offered words of encouragement to the Westgate graduates.
“There will be times when the road seems impossible, but remember that every move that you make forward, no matter how small is always going to be a victory. Keep pushing, keep striving and never lose sight of your dreams,” Nunley said. Continue to support one another, remember to celebrate your achievements, and no matter what, work towards a world where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can thrive.”
The Escambia Westgate Class of 2025 graduates were:
Samuel Alfonso Battaglia
Joshua Grant Boatwright
Jayla Somone Carter
Jason Antonio Darr
Bethany Catherine Feagin-Davis
Russell Lee Fountain
Tyler Jensen
Kahreemah Nashyda Muhammad
Zachary Reed Pennington
Hannah Brooke Schneider
Davion Lynell Williams
For a photo gallery, click here.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Northview High School Names 2025 Valedictorian and Salutatorian
May 20, 2025
Northview High School has named their Class of 2025 valedictorian and salutatorian.
They are valedictorian Colton Ray Criswell and salutatorian Jamison Abigail Gilman.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Mostly Sunny Tuesday, Tiny Chance Of Scattered Rain Tuesday Night, Wednesday
May 20, 2025
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 73. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Northwest wind around 5 mph.
Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the morning.
Thursday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 87. North wind around 5 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Saturday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 66.
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 69.
Memorial Day: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89.
‘Robbery Spree is Over,’ Escambia Sheriff Declares
May 20, 2025
Authorities have apprehended a man believed to be behind a series of armed robberies across Escambia County.
Deputies arrested DeShawn Donson, 21, on Sunday night following his latest alleged heist and a vehicle chase.
Escambia County Sheriff’s Chip Simmons announced Donson’s arrest at a press conference Monday afternoon. “I can tell you his robbery spree is over,” said Sheriff Simmons, noting the crimes spanned throughout 2024 and into 2025.
Deputies located Donson after an incident around 11 p.m. Sunday at the Raceway on Airport Boulevard. Surveillance video reportedly shows Donson robbing the store, holding the cashier at gunpoint before leaving with a bag of cash.
Having previously identified Donson as a suspect in other robberies, deputies were tracking him. As he exited the Raceway and entered an SUV, deputies attempted a traffic stop. Donson failed to comply, leading to a chase down Davis Highway that concluded when he pulled into the HCA Florida West Hospital parking lot.
A deputy crashed into Donson’s SUV in the hospital parking lot to end the pursuit. Donson then surrendered. Deputies recovered the bag of cash and a gun from the vehicle.
For Sunday night’s incident, Simmons stated Donson is charged with armed robbery and fleeing, among other charges. He was also subject to a federal armed robbery warrant.
Sheriff Simmons indicated that more charges are expected, as investigators have linked Donson to additional armed robberies throughout the county and city.
Donson is a convicted felon who served approximately six months in state prison in 2020. At 16, he was incarcerated for his involvement in the 2018 attempted murder and burglary of a woman.
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Cantonment 10,000 Pound Food Distribution Set For Today
May 20, 2025
The Cantonment Improvement Committee will host a food distribution today, providing 10,000 pounds of food to local residents in need. The giveaway will being at 3 p.m. 3:00 at Carver Park, located at 208 Webb Street in Cantonment.
Attendees should like up facing north on Webb Street.
To receive food, individuals must present a valid identification. The distribution will operate on a first come, first served basis as supplies last. One bag or box of food will be provided per identification presented, with a maximum of three IDs allowed per vehicle.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Northview Softball’s State Final Four Game Is Today; Here’s How To Watch Live
May 20, 2025
Today, the Northview Lady Chiefs will open play in the Rural FHSAA Softball Final Four near Orlando.
No. 2 Northview (21-6) will take on No. 3 Branford (21-6).
First pitch Tuesday is at noon EDT (11 a.m. in North Escambia) at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood, just outside Orlando. Fans can watch live video on the NFHS Network for a $13.99 monthly pass (which can be canceled at any time). NorthEscambia.com will have periodic updates on our Facebook page during the game; be sure to like our page for updates.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Walnut Hill Man Charged In Ohio After Allegedly Killing Puppy With Hammer As Two Kids Listened
May 19, 2025
A Walnut Hill man is facing multiple charges in Ohio after allegedly killing a puppy using a hammer as two children listened.
Jimmy Robert Wiggins, Jr. was charged with felony endangering children, probations involving animals, felony tampering with evidence, and misdemeanor obstruction of official business. He remained jail Monday morning, and Erie County, Ohio, jail records show he also has an outstanding hold from Escambia County, Florida.
Ohio Allegations
Editor’s Note: The following description from Ohio law enforcement may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
The Erie County Sheriff Office said the incident happened at home in “deplorable” condition with drugs in plain sight. They said Wiggins, 46, was living with a woman, identified as Gretchen Howard, in Milan Township, Ohio, a small community near Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo.
According to Ohio media reports, the local sheriff’s office received a report from a distraught child that Wiggins had killed a puppy with a hammer before fleeing. Two children told arriving deputies that Wiggins had threatened to choke the puppy named “Hank” just before the puppy was allegedly bludgeoned to death. The children reported hearing the puppy scream.
The children told deputies they saw Hank’s body in the a bathroom. Deputies were unable to locate the puppy, but they reportedly found a bloody hammer.
Howard was at home during the incident, and spoke with deputies, but they said her speech was mostly unintelligible.
Deputies found footprints leading from the home to a nearby river, and that’s where they say Wiggins was found, partially submerged and holding onto a tree branch. He was arrested, along with Howard..
Howard remained jailed Monday morning on two counts of endangering children.
The children were taken into custody by local child services, and another puppy in the home was relocated.
Wiggins History In Escambia County
Escambia County court records show Wiggins in due to appear May 27 on a grand theft arrest last February. In the case, direct filed by the State Attorney’s Office, Wiggins is accused of stealing over property valued over $750 from Florida Power & Light. He pleaded not guilty on March 24.
Florida court records show Wiggins was a resident of Perdue Road in Walnut Hill at the time of his last Escambia County arrest on February 28 and had been a resident there for several years.
Images: Erie County (Ohio) Sheriff’s Office
Here’s The Schedule And Video Links For Escambia County Graduations
May 19, 2025
Graduations begin today for Escambia County schools, with most of the graduations scheduled for May 27-28 at the Pensacola Bay Center.
- May 19, 2025
- Westgate – 11:00 a.m., Westgate Adaptive Multi-Purpose Room, [Westgate Video Link]
- May 23, 2025
- District Extended – 9:00 a.m., Hall Center, Room 160, [District Extended Video Link]
- Project Search Completion Ceremony – 11:00 a.m., Hall Center, Room 160
- May 27, 2025
- Tate High School – 9:00 a.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Tate High School Video Link]
- EVA/Success Academy/George Stone/Acceleration Academy/Achieve Academy – 12:15 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [EVA/Success Academy/George Stone/Acceleration Academy/Achieve Academy Video Link]
- Washington High School – 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Washington High School Video Link]
- Pensacola High School – 5:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Pensacola High School Video Link]
- May 28, 2025
- Escambia High School – 9:00 a.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Escambia High School Video Link]
- Northview High School – 12:15 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Northview High School Video Link]
- Pine Forest High School – 2:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [Pine Forest High School Video Link]
- West Florida High School – 5:30 p.m., Pensacola Bay Center, [West Florida High School Video Link]
Pictured: Northview High School 2024 Class of 2024 graduation at the Pensacola Bay Center. NorthEscambia.com file photos.
NAS Pensacola Closed To The Public May 20-22
May 19, 2025
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola is scheduled to close for public visitation May 20 through May 22. The installation’s areas of public interest – the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum and Fort Barrancas – will be closed to the public on these days.
The air station’s West Gate will only be open for Department of Defense (DoD) identification card holders.
NAS Pensacola’s areas of public interest will reopen Friday, May 23, at 9 a.m., at which time visitors to the air station can access the installation through the West Gate at the south end of Blue Angel Parkway.
File photo.