Truck Overturned In Creek A Bit Of A Mystery
July 25, 2016
A bit of a mystery surrounds a traffic accident Sunday morning in which a pickup truck was found overturned in a creek outside Molino.
About 7:30 a.m., a caller reporting finding the Ford F150 upside down, the cab partially submerged, in a branch of McDavid Creek. The driver of the truck was northbound on Highway 99 north of Crabtree Church Road when they failed to negotiate a curve. The vehicle left the roadway and traveled through heavy brush along the right of way for over 200 feet. The truck then traveled about 20 feet into a wooded area before overturning into the creek.
The truck’s engine was cold — it was impossible to determine how many hours, or days, the truck had been in the creek.
Firefighters discovered that all of the doors were locked on the king cab truck, and all of the windows were intact, except for a back passenger window that lodged against the creek bank. In order to enter the truck, firefighters had to break the driver’s window to unlock the truck. Before they could open the door, they were forced to cut away tree limbs.
They were unable to located anyone inside the submerged truck cab. A complete search of the creek and the surrounding wooded area also failed to find a victim. Hours later, when a heavy duty wrecker was used to winch the truck out of the wooded area, no victim was found under the truck.
When the truck was removed from the woods, it was discovered that the vehicle gearshift was in park, and the keys were gone.
So how did a truck in park with doors locked end up in the creek? And how did the driver escape from a vehicle where trees and creek bank presented the doors from opening?
The Florida Highway Patrol was able to find the truck’s owner from the tag and registration. The owners denied driving the truck and said it was being driven by a relative. At last report the relative had not yet claimed to be driving or offered an explanation for the crash.
One law enforcement officer theorized that after initially leaving the roadway, the truck had stopped at the top of the embankment leading down to the creek, likely supported by brush and small trees. The driver would have then exited the truck, taking the keys and locking the doors. Then, some time later, the brush and trees collapsed, sending the truck into the creek.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: A firefighter wades through a branch of McDavid Creek to check the inside of a submerged pickup cab for a possible victim. Pictured inset and below: The truck landed upside down in a creek. Pictured next to bottom: A view of the truck after brush and small trees were removed by firefighters. Pictured bottom: The truck was not visible from the roadway. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Century Man Charged With Fleeing Traffic Stop
July 25, 2016
A Century man tried to run from deputies on a traffic stop, but he could not hide from an arrest warrant.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop in the area of Pond and Jefferson streets in Century after clocking a vehicle speeding at 39 mph in a 25 mph zone. The driver, Travis Lavar Scott, provided his driver’s license to the deputy and began to search for his registration. When the deputy later asked if he had found the registration, Scott put the vehicle in gear and sped away, according to an arrest report.
The deputy attempted to intercept Scott at his nearby home on Gilford Avenue, a short distance from the traffic stop, but he exited the vehicle and fled on foot. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Scott was charged with felony fleeing and eluding an law enforcement officer with lights and siren active. He was also issued a speeding ticket. He was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $5,000 bond.
FWC Offering Hunter Safety Internet Completion Class In Molino
July 25, 2016
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering a free hunter safety internet-completion course this month in Molino.
The course will be held July 27 from 6-10 p.m. and July 30 from 7-10 a.m. at the Molino Community Center at 6450 Highway 95A in Molino.
Students who have taken the online course and wish to complete the classroom portion must bring the online-completion report with them.
All firearms, ammunition and materials are provided free of charge. Students should bring a pen or pencil and paper. An adult must accompany children younger than 16 at all times.
Anyone born on or after June 1, 1975, must pass an approved hunter safety course and have a hunting license to hunt alone (unsupervised). The FWC course satisfies hunter-safety training requirements for all other states and Canadian provinces.
Those interested in attending a course can register online and obtain information about future hunter safety classes at MyFWC.com/HunterSafety or by calling the FWC’s regional office in Panama City at (850) 265-3676.
One Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
July 25, 2016
One person was injured in a single vehicle rollover on Highway 97 north of Dogwood Park Sunday afternoon.
The driver of a Dodge Charger lost control while northbound on Highway 97 near Hendricks Lane and left the roadway. The vehicle came to rest upside down in a driveway.
The driver, the only occupant of the vehicle, was transported with minor injuries to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola by Atmore Ambulance.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the crash.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Shuckers Shutout Blue Wahoos
July 25, 2016
Despite managing only two hits Sunday, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos still had a chance to tie or win the game in the ninth inning, trailing the Biloxi Shuckers by one run.
However, after Pensacola catcher Chad Wallach hit a leadoff double to start the ninth, Biloxi closer Stephen Kohlscheen set the next three batters down in order for his 12th save to nail down the Shuckers, 1-0, victory.
It was the least Kohlscheen could do after Brandon Woodruff gave the sellout Blue Wahoos crowd of 5,038 a gutty performance. He missed his last start because his brother, Blake, died in an ATV accident Friday, July 15.
Woodruff improved to 5-6 with a 3.65 ERA by allowing one hit and striking out nine in six innings. He started the game by striking out the side and had a perfect game until Pensacola right fielder Sebastian Elizalde got a hit to lead off the fifth inning.
Pensacola starter Barrett Astin set down 15 of the 16 batters he faced in five innings of work. The only hit he gave up was a two-out solo shot belted by — who else? — Woodruff on a “cutter that didn’t cut.” It was Woodruff’s first professional home run.
“I’ve known Woody for six or seven years now,” said Astin, who has now gone14.2 innings without giving up a walk. “The Milwaukee Brewers couldn’t ask more out of him. He was probably high on adrenalin. That was good to see.”
In his sixth spot starts this season, Astin is 2-2 with a 3.96 ERA.
Pensacola manager Pat Kelly was well aware that Woodruff was pitching just after his brother died. His brother’s last tweet was about Brandon’s season-high 10 strikeout game July 13 that earned him the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week honor.
“That’s an amazing thing for me that he was pitching with a heavy heart,” Kelly said. “It was a really incredible feat.”
Woodruff has now given up four hits in 13 innings to Pensacola and struck out 19. Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero said Woodruff was begging to pitch the seventh but was replaced with Shuckers reliever Steve Peterson.
During both of Pensacola’s losses in this five-game series to Biloxi, the Blue Wahoos earned only two hits each game and combined for 28 strikeouts.
“He has got great stuff — a 97-mile-per-hour fastball, a really good slider and a changeup,” Kelly said. “I want to know what he’s doing in this league.”
Pensacola, though, won its second straight series at home in the second half and have now won nine of 10 this season. It is 15-15 in the second half and 56-44 overall.
The Blue Wahoos ended up winning 11 of 15 home games against the Shuckers this season.
Democratic National Committee Chair Stepping Down
July 25, 2016
After months of controversy about her role in the party’s presidential primaries, Florida Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Sunday she will step down as chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee.
Wasserman Schultz’s resignation is effective after the Democratic National Convention, which starts Monday in Philadelphia. The announcement came after the disclosure Friday by WikiLeaks of internal party emails that added new fuel to criticism that Wasserman Schultz aided ultimate nominee Hillary Clinton in the presidential primaries against U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.
In a statement that splashed Sunday across national and state media websites, Wasserman Schultz said she would open and close the convention and address delegates about “the stakes involved in this election not only for Democrats, but for all Americans.”
“We have planned a great and unified convention this week and I hope and expect that the DNC team that has worked so hard to get us to this point will have the strong support of all Democrats in making sure this is the best convention we have ever had,” she said in the statement.
Luis Miranda, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said on Twitter that party Vice Chairwoman Donna Brazile, a longtime Democratic leader and operative, will serve as interim chair through the election.
Sanders, who is scheduled to speak Monday night at the convention, posted a statement on Twitter saying Wasserman Schultz had “made the right decision for the future of the Democratic Party” by resigning.
“While she deserves thanks for her years of service, the party now needs new leadership that will open the doors of the party and welcome in working people and young people,” Sanders said in the statement. “The party leadership must also always remain impartial in the presidential nominating process, something which did not occur in the 2016 race.”
Clinton also issued a statement saying Wasserman Schultz will serve as “honorary chair of my campaign’s 50-state program to gain ground and elect Democrats in every part of the country and will continue to serve as a surrogate for my campaign nationally, in Florida and in other key states.”
Wasserman Schultz, who is from the Broward County city of Weston, has been a fixture in state Democratic politics for more than two decades and became chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee in 2011.
She faces an Aug. 30 primary-election challenge for her congressional seat from Tim Canova, who has been backed by Sanders. Clinton indicated in her statement that she will try to help Wasserman Schultz fend off the challenge in Congressional District 23.
“I look forward to campaigning with Debbie in Florida and helping her in her re-election bid — because as president, I will need fighters like Debbie in Congress who are ready on day one to get to work for the American people,” Clinton said in the statement.
by Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
Unidentified Pedestrian Struck Twice, Dies
July 24, 2016
FOR AN UPDATE TO THIS STORY, CLICK HERE.
A pedestrian struck twice on Willard Norris Road in Santa Rosa County early Sunday morning is dead, and authorities are searching for his identify.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the pedestrian was already lying in the roadway from a previous collision when he was struck a second time by a 1991 Ford Bronco driven y 18-year old Tyler Watson Shook of Jay about 12:20 Sunday morning. Shook was uninjured and does not face any charges.
The FHP said all attempts to identify the pedestrian have been unsuccessful. The FHP said the victim was a white male, about 5-foot, 8-inches tall.
Anyone with information on the crash causing the pedestrian’s initial injuries or the pedestrian’s identity is asked to contact Corporal Jane Watts at donnawatts@flhsmv.gov or call (850) 471-6928.
Man Shot In Cantonment Dies; ECSO Names Homicide Suspect
July 24, 2016
The victim in a shooting Saturday night in Cantonment has died, and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has named a suspect.
Escambia County EMS responded to a gunshot victim in the yard of a residence in the 200 block of Sheppard Street just after 9 p.m. Alphonso Leon Griffin, 29, was discovered with a gunshot would to his shoulder. He was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he later passed away.
Sgt. Andrew Hobbs, spokesperson for the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 19-year old Marquis Derrell Bryant (pictured) is wanted for homicide in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 436-9620 or Crime Stoppers at (850) 433-STOP.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Family Offers $10K Reward For Hit And Run Driver That Hit Teen
July 24, 2016
The family of a 15-year old hit and run victim is offering a reward for information.
Brianna Nicole Marks, 15, was crossing Pine Forest Road at Citation Drive about 4:25 a.m. Friday when she was struck by a northbound vehicle that fled the scene. The vehicle should have extensive front end damage according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Marks remains in critical condition at Sacred Heart Hospital.
Her family is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the hit and run.
Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.
FDOT: Weekly Traffic Alerts
July 24, 2016
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- Interstate 10 (I-10) Widening – The outside east and westbound lane, near Exit 17 (U.S. 90/Scenic Highway) will be closed from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. the week of Sunday, July 24. In addition, traffic in the inside lane will be slowed by the Florida Highway Patrol from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. in a “pacing operation.” The lane closures and pacing operations will allow construction crews to paint the Scenic Highway overpass.
- Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10)- Lane restrictions east of Guidy Lane as crews construct a new eastbound, right and westbound, left turn lane for the shopping center Sunday, July 24 through Thursday, July 28. Lane closures will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Texar Drive (S.R. 752) Pedestrian Overpass– Access to the pedestrian bridge is closed for approximately one month. Eastbound ECAT bus stops located at the pedestrian bridge will be temporarily relocated during construction to just west of N Miller Street.
- Airport Road (S.R. 750) Resurfacing- Intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews perform paving operations between U.S. 29 and County Road 95A (North Palafox Street).
Santa Rosa County:
- I-10 Widening – Alternating lane closures, between the Escambia Bay Bridge and S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard/Exit 22), Sunday, July 24 through Thursday, July 28 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. as crews continue widening work. In addition, there will be alternating lane closures on Avalon Boulevard near the I-10 interchange for bridge work.
- S.R. 87 and S.R. 89 from S.R. 4 to the Alabama line – Intermittent and alternating lane closures and slow moving operations from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. continuing through Sunday, July 31 as crews perform striping operations.
- I-10- Intermittent east and westbound lane closures between Santa Rosa County line and U.S. 90 (Nine Mile Road) from 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26 to 5 a.m. Wednesday, July 27 as crews repair highway lighting.
- I-110- Intermittent north and southbound lane closures between Chance Street and I-10 from 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 to 5 a.m. Thursday, July 29 as crews repair highway lighting.
- S.R. 281 (Avalon Boulevard)- Intermittent lane closures and slow moving operations from U.S. 98 to the toll bridge from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. continuing through Thursday, July 28 as crews perform striping operations. There will be no work performed Friday through Sunday.
- U.S. 98 – Crews will perform striping operations and install raised pavement markers (RPMs) from the Pensacola Bay Bridge to Central Parkway (approximately nine miles) Sunday through Thursday nights through Sunday, July 31. Motorists may encounter minor traffic delays from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or re-scheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to use caution, especially at night, when traveling in a work zone and to watch for construction workers and equipment entering and exiting the roadway.