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(Updated) Eight People Injured In Five-Vehicle Crash On Highway 97 In Walnut Hill
August 24, 2025
Eight people were reported to be injured in a five-vehicle crash Saturday afternoon on Highway 97 in Walnut Hill, and the cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Three people were critically injured, including an 8-year-old and one were person that were airlifted to a Pensacola hospital after being ejected.
The crash occurred shortly before 4:30 p.m. on Highway 97 south of Ernest Ward Middle School. Highway 97 was closed for five hours due to the crash, reopening about 9:30 p.m.
The crash was caused by the 18-year-old from Atmore that “failed to maintain safe control of this vehicle”, the Florida Highway Patrol said in a report released Sunday morning. The front left of his UV collided with a passenger van that was traveling south. His SUV then continued traveling northbound and colliding with three other southbound vehicles before overturning onto its side (pictured). The SUV driver was cited for careless driving.
The Injured
The SUV driver and his 17-year-old female passenger, also from Atmore, were both seriously injured. The 63-year year old van driver and 87-year-old passenger suffered minor injuries. A 33-year-old Atmore woman received minor injuries and her 8-year-old passenger was seriously injured. The driver of another car, a 30-year-old Uriah, Alabama, man, was also seriously injured. The FHP report does not list the age or injuries of a fifth driver.
The crash scene was spread out with debris stretching about 450 feet from two vehicles to the north and three vehicles to the south. One vehicle, a Ford Expedition, overturned in the crash, while the four other vehicles sustained extensive damage.
Emergency Response
The major crash prompted a large mass casualty response.
Three medical helicopters, at least five ambulances, and four other EMS units including supervisors were dispatched to the scene. The Walnut Hill, McDavid and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and the Atmore Fire Department responded, along with numerous FHPl troopers, several Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission officer.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
42 Responses to “(Updated) Eight People Injured In Five-Vehicle Crash On Highway 97 In Walnut Hill”
The tickets would pay for a full time law enforcement to maintain Hwy 97. The most dangerous drivers I’ve ever seen are on 97. This would really help.
I don’t get how people can see accidents like this in the news daily and still ask me “Why are my car insurance rates going up?”
The road is not the problem!!! My Mother and Sister were killed on this road in January. The investigations stated that the driver that killed them was 100% at fault. HE REFUSED A DRUG TEST. He will be cited with failure to maintain lane. If you want this road cleaned up, FHP had better quit playing favorites just because someone has LAW ENFORCEMENT CONNECTIONS. There is a leak somewhere, because the driver posted on facebook that he had a wreck a year prior that totaled a vehicle. I told the State Attorney’s office, and the driver pulled his facebook down that week.
EW, why are you blaming the casino? Grow up.
The kids that caused the accident can’t even gamble there.
That road has ALWAYS been scary. I know one family that lost 3 members on that road. Should have been four lanes forty years ago.
I am not being argumentative BUT I HAVE to get on 29 to go anywhere and I NEVER see the hwy patrol going up and down 29–NEVER and I have been here 30 years–when I see a car that is passing multiple cars on 97–IF there is a road I can pull off on or a safe area to pull onto – I do because they are MORE dangerous on 97–it is 2 lanes –and rarely see patrols of any kind they are rarely on 29 I do not know where the heck they are –except sometimes at the hwy patrol on 29 and ALWAYS eating or getting a cup of coffee at the old Frans so they have the LONGEST coffee breaks in the world–I wouldn’t have their jobs as they see horrific things and the WORSE of characters BUT they still need to patrol–if they a\pass me at 70 I don’t care BUT 8-90 that is a death waiting to happen
We came through yesterday, Sunday, and were passed by someone seriously speeding past us. The oncoming car had to get off the side of the road to avoid being hit. On the way back south another car passed us going around a curve on double yellow lines. No one is forced to pass anyone. Most of the situations we see are just drivers not following the rules of the road and doing dangerous things. And no we weren’t going below the speed limit either time. None of us drive alone through 97 because of how dangerous the drivers are. You need as many eyes on the road as possible and even then there are limited ways to avoid a crash even if you see it coming.
Isn’t speeding…Speeding? Over the limit…just a little…sets the standard for others watching, in the backseat, passengers seat, etc. It is ok to take a little, and a little, and so on. Pretty soon everyone is speeding like the examples below.
“I can set my cruise to 62 mph”
“Im one of those annoying people that sets my cruise on 58-60″
“I’m only going 5 – 8 mph over the limit”
Though this seems harmless, others can’t responsibly do so without going overboard and with extreme lack of caution. But, this is the culture of today. I need to get there, I am going to be late, everyone else does it, I am not doing anything wrong…but you are!
Sure some great ideas/solutions were brought up…but, this culture will still remain and it will only get worse. What’s the ultimate solution?
I don’t think it’s the speeding as much as the people that’s runs 35 or 40 mph that causing traffic to back up and holding other driver up and when you need to pass you have to pass multiple vehicles instead of one or two at a time that causes more crashes than people do speeding
How terrible!! Jesus please be with and help all the people involved and their families!
It’s very simple very little to no law enforcement presence on Hwy 97
The sheriff’s department, and F.H.P. ride up and down UShwy 29 all day, and all night completely ignoring hwy 97.
I think they are afraid to enforce traffic laws on 97 because of the lack of shoulder to safely pull people over. Whatever there reason this will continue untill they actually do something to slow people down….
I hope everyone recovers quickly from this tragic accident.
Either someone was in a hurry to get to the Casino or
to get home from the Casino. Been on that road many
times and observed many flying around several cars at
once knowing there was a curve within a few feet.
The problem is speeding, and careless driving. I think the FHP should sit in different places on that Hwy different days of the week every single week. This is so far out of control that someone has got to make a decision to do something!
People usually obey the law in Gulf Breeze because FOREVER we KNOW that if you speed there, you will almost certainly get caught, and you all get a ticket. THAT IS HOW YOU FIX THE PROBLEM.
Hey Anonymous, that Ultima has no reason to have airbags deployed. They deploy in front end collisions, not rear fender damage collisions.
Please slow down. I’m on that road early morning and again in afternoon. To get on a school bus. And yes I go the speed limit. People either go around me on double lines curves going way to fast or up on my bumper with lights on bright. Please slow down. No one needs to be I. That big of a hurry. Leave in plenty of time to get where you need to be
Sad that every commentor here took the chance to blame everything possible with little concern for those involved.
Except one, Mary Semsick……
And as she said “Big prayers for all”.
@Milton Andres – If they started a project of that nature next week, by the time enginnering, permitting, and imminent domain to take property for right of way and holding ponds was completed, it would be 2030. Then another 3-5 years to actually do the work.
How in the heck does that happen…. I understand a wreck… But a five car wreck?
Terrible drivers cause terrible accidents I hope they charge the kid to the full extent of the law. Not to diminish the true cause of this but we have to understand with the growth of the North end and everywhere for that matter we have out grown our infrastructure by a lot this really needs to be addressed and soon
I’m am on this road daily and there is a lot of speeding but also you have people that drive 40 mph with no place to be and with very little options to pass… I can see where people get frustrated and attemp passing on curves and hills… they better be rite with Jesus is all I got to say
Speed cameras + ticket in mail = End of speeders
I live on HWY 97 right by where this accident happened yesterday. I hate how people drive out here. It is scary pulling out of our driveway to go either direction. I also as others stated above see people passing in hills, curves, double lines, and have been passed in school zones with lights flashing and some even coming out of the school from picking up still flying around. My fiance and I have several times been in near miss accidents and have had to leave roadway to get out of danger. I can definitely say there is not enough police patrol on this road. I see them maybe a couple times a month, definitely need more.
need to 4 lane 97 straighten and add turn off line
I get passed on that road by people with great faith (over hills and around corners because they are frustrated I’m only going 5 – 8 mph over the limit).
Very dangerous road because of bad drivers. Most are always speeding… the last time I drove on that road a car, three cars back went around every one of us on a curve an double lines… They never think of the innocent people.They could kill… Hope we can get more patrol on that road.
If this road was in central Florida with this many horrible wrecks it would have been made a 4 lane divided hwy. But we are in the Panhandle were we get hardly any road funding.
The people driving on these and any other highway are accountable for what happens period !!! I see people saying oh we need more patrolling or speed limit signs or it’s the road it’s dangerous well that not the case at all !!! People make people decisions and are supposed to be in control of what happens when driving !!! People drive fast and cause accidents and run into others and all this mess !! Don’t blame the lack of Leo’s or the road or the speed limit or anything else except the people driving !!!!!
Hwy 97 is the local “secret” speedway! I have never seen a patrol car on this road. I hug the shoulder when being passed by someone who seems to know the road much better than I do. We need a camera system on that Hwy so people can be charged with huge $$ when doing 40 over the speed limit. This needs to be a first priority as people are pretending this is Hwy 29 with no lights to slow them down.
I agree with @Madison. People travel way too fast, disregard the laws of the highway and the general welfare of people they deem “In their way”. Selfish, irresponsible people. It wasn’t the children’s fault. Praying for them!
Blocking cell phone signals and speed bumps is the only thing that will really slow people down.
People want more police on 97; but, will screech when they get a ticket for speeding.
Note: Setting a cruise at 62 (in a 55 mph zone) is speeding, too.
FHP (including the CMV troopers) and ECSD should saturate, for sure.
We used to live on Highway 97. The Casino was built, more traffic. More building, more trucks and more people. Drivers on this highway which we call, “Highway 97, Highway to Heaven” have no regard for others let alone themselves. ESCO and State Troopers patrol this highway from Highway 97 to the AL state line but the amount of drivers today outnumber law enforcement and get away with their crazy driving. Start charging more for speeding and reckless driving and maybe these people will slow. Hoping.
Big prayers for all. Thank you to the neighbor man that came out and told us all waiting in line how to turn around and get back on route. Thank you to all the police and first responders for helping all the crash victims. God’s grace and blessings be upon them.
Once commuted on this roadway twice each day for 16 years. I think I’ve seen it all, then accidents like this occur. My heart is with all the survivors and families of this.
Alongside strict speed enforcement, FDOT needs to do the following:
1. Build a four lane passing section (two lanes in each direction) from the old catfish ponds to just north of Tung Oil Road along this long, straight, flat section.
2. Construct a rumble strip down the entire middle of the highway and install dual centerline striping to either side, essentially building in some separation between traffic.
3. Install triangular oncoming signage indicating “No Passing Zones”. (Obviously the yellow solid line striping is not enough.)
To the drivers who either speed well over 55 OR drive well under the speed limit (forcing people to pass), you need to think a lot more about everyone else’s safety on the road. The tailgating needs to stop. And the truck drivers need chill on this highway.
I see people passing in blind corners, hills, double yellow lines almost every day. Saw a near miss head on last week. The ESO and FHP must step up enforcement on a regular basis and not just a week or two after a major incident.
I avoid this road whenever possible. I’ve not seen such consistency crazy driving anywhere else, and that’s saying something around here!!!
Whoever was driving the Altima should really consider having a shop look at why not a single air bag looks deployed….. in this bad of a wreck? I can feel the potential lawsuit on that one.
I know what car I will never buy.
Prayers for all involved. I personally know 2 people who have gotten in bad wrecks on that road. Both at the hwy 29 end.
They do drive fast. Im one of those annoying people that sets my cruise on 58-60 and just goes. People pass me like I’m sitting still. Even when I drove a school bus people flew past me. It’s crazy. They may need a few traffic lights just to show people down. I’d hate it, but it would help.
I only travel that road 2 times a month. But it never fails, I see state troopers every time. Just saying. And by the way they drive just as bad as the rest of them. I witnessed one passing a log truck going over a hill.
There’s not enough patrol on 97. I can set my cruise to 62 mph and I have people passing me like I’m sitting still, passing on double yellow lines. They do it because they know their chances of encountering a cop are slim to none.
I live on HWY 97, this road is absolutely terrifying. People drive upwards of 80 MPH and are constantly passing on corners and hills. No one slows down. My family of 6 was driving today when an ambulance was coming up behind us to this accident scene and cars weren’t even pulling over. Would love to see some more patrolling done out here.
I travel Hwy 97 alot. I’ve had 2 close calls on this road in the past month. Sure would like to see more ESCO on this road. They’re passing on hills and in curves. The straitaways are Indianapolis 500. Hate this. Hope everyone is OK. Prayers