Five People, Including Two Young Children, Injured In Early Morning Hwy 97 Head-on Crash

September 7, 2026

Five people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle head-on crash early Monday morning south of Walnut Hill.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a Nissan Rogue driven by a 23-year-old McDavid man was northbound on Highway 97 about a half mile south of Howell Road when he crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound GMC Sierra pickup truck driven by a 37-year-old Uriah, Alabama, man at about 5:00 a.m.

There were four occupants in the pickup truck — the 37-year-old driver, an adult female passenger and two children, ages approximately three and four. Both adults and the 3-year-old were airlifted in three different medical helicopters to Pensacola hospitals as trauma alerts. The driver of the Nissan and the 4-year-old were also transported to the hospital.

The crash completely closed Highway 97 south of Walnut Hill for hours.

FHP said its investigation is continuing.

For additional photos, click here.

The Walnut Hill, McDavid, and Molino stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

3 Responses to “Five People, Including Two Young Children, Injured In Early Morning Hwy 97 Head-on Crash”

  1. mnon on September 7th, 2026 9:18 am

    Wow! Four Lanes will not fix bad driving, speeding, medically induced accidents or DUI. Prayers

  2. Shelisa on September 7th, 2026 9:08 am

    Without speculation or judgment … Praying for everyone involved

  3. Sheila McGhee on September 7th, 2026 9:06 am

    I once again say.. 4 lane the damn road…all that money wasted on repaying has not saved one life or stopped one accident.





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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under TOP STORIES