Man Gets 20 Years For 2022 DUI Crash That Killed Escambia County Deputy
December 11, 2024
Wednesday, a man was sentenced to 20 years in state prison for he fatal DUI crash that claimed the life of an Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy in October 2022.
Tristen Cole Parker pleaded guilty last month to DUI manslaughter, driving with a suspended license and DUI causing bodily harm. There was no plea deal, and he received the maximum sentence. His sentence included 15 years for the DUI manslaughter followed consecutively by five years for DUI causing serious bodily injury for a total of 20 years.
Parker failed to stop at a stop sign, and his bucket truck struck an oncoming silver Jeep driven by the deputy.
Master Deputy Kevin Ray of Cantonment and his 15-year-old daughter Lauren were traveling from Troy, Alabama, when the crash occurred on Highway 85 just east of Laurel Hill, Florida, at 8:40 p.m. on October 15, 2022.
Ray was pronounced deceased at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to an area hospital. The 2012 white Dodge bucket truck driven by Parker overturned multiple times, destroying utility poles before coming to rest in a field in the southwest corner of the intersection.
“There were beer cans near the passenger door of the Dodge truck that were in the pickup and thrown while overturning,” the investigating trooper wrote in an arrest report obtained by NorthEscambia.com.
“When the witness rolled up on the crash, Tristen Cole Parker had self-extricated from his vehicle but identified himself as the sole occupant and operator of the suspect vehicle,” the report states. “While being treated on scene by Okaloosa County Fireman Paramedic (redacted), Tristen Cole Parker admitted to consuming 3 to 4 alcohol beverages prior to the collision. (The paramedic) also smelled an odor of alcohol coming from Tristan Cole Parker while he was speaking.”
Parker was transported to an area hospital for treatment.
“During conversation with Tristen Cole Parker, Mr. Parker spontaneously uttered to (the trooper) that he had 2 or 3 ‘beers’ prior to the collision’,” the report continues. Despite initial consent for a voluntary blood draw, Parker refused to provide the blood sample when hospital staff arrived in his room.
An FHP traffic homicide investigator also noted that Parker had bulged eyes, slurred speech, a dry mouth, thick tongue, flushed face and smelled of alcohol in the emergency room. The investigator said Parker had labored breathing, slow deliberate movements and repeated himself.
FHP said Parker’s certified driving record from Texas showed multiple convictions for driving with suspended license in that state.
Ray had been a member of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office family for over 20 years. He had been assigned to courthouse security for over a decade.
Hattie Marie McGary, Who Captured The Soul Of Cantonment, Passes Away
December 11, 2024
The community is mourning the loss of a special lady that captured the soul of Cantonment.
Hattie Marie McGary, the owner of the soul food restaurant Harrie Marie’s Cafe has passed away. She was 80.
Hattie, who loved her family and community, loved sharing her lifelong love of cooking. She spent 36 years working for the Escambia County School Food Services Department, starting as a dishwasher in 1971. But then a manager realized Hattie could cook, and that was what she did for the kids for 30 years until her retirement as an assistant manager.
Hattie Marie’s Cafe on Louis Street was all about community, serving soul food prepared with an extra sprinkling of love.
Beef tips, beef brisket, smoked ribs and chicken, fried and smothered pork chops, fried and baked chicken, collard greens, green beans, cornbread dressing, yams, mac and cheese, rice, mash potatoes, and potato salad were on the menu last Sunday. And what’s Sunday dinner without dessert? That was pound cake, strawberry shortcake, and sweet potato pie. All served with the heart and soul of Hattie Marie McGary.
Funeral services have not yet been announced. As for the cafe, they will be closed for a few weeks with planned reopening on Sunday, January 5.
Cantonment Man Charged After Alleged Armed Confrontation With Several Older Adults
December 11, 2024
A Cantonment man is facing multiple charges following an alleged incident involving a firearm and physical altercations with several older adults.
David Alan Arnette, 66, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery on a person over age 65, one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill, one count of battery on a person on a person over age 65, and one count of battery.
Arnette allegedly entered a residence, pulled a handgun out of pocket and pointing it at a 63-year-old woman, a 71-year-old man and a 74-year-old man and saying, “and you should die”, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies said he then pushed the 74-year-old man to the ground before pushing a 62-year-old woman when she tried to de-escalate the situation.
The 74-year-old told deputies that he was playing pool with his friends when Arnette entered the residence and threw down power tools angerly and stated that the tools were stolen. According to an arrest report, he then pulled a handgun as the situation escalated.
Arnette remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $14,000.
Santa Visits Century Library, Plans Other Library Stops (With Gallery)
December 11, 2024
Santa stopped at the Century Branch Library Tuesday evening.
After a couple of special stories from Santa, children were able to take photos with Santa and share their Christmas wish lists. From dolls, to trampolines to video games, Santa heard a variety of wishes.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Santa has several other visits planned to other West Florida Public Library locations.
Molino Library
- Thursday, December 19, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Bellview Library
- Tuesday, December 17, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Tryon Library
- Thursday, December 19, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Pensacola Library
- Wednesday, December 18, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
- Saturday, December 21, 1:30–2:30 p.m.
Southwest Library
- Friday, December 20, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Westside Library
- Thursday, December 12, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Ascend Cares Spreads Joy With Presents For All At Escambia Westgate School
December 11, 2024
The students at Escambia Westgate School were the recipients of holiday cheer thanks to presents for all from Ascend Cares.
Ascend Cares recently delivered Christmas presents to every student at Escambia Westgate. The students received a present from their wish list delivered by Santa, and the Grinch also visited with students. The gifts were funded by the Ascend Cares Foundation, which is supported by employee donations.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Three Escambia County Fires Add Red Bulbs To Fire Safety Wreath
December 11, 2024
Escambia County Fire Rescue has placed three more red bulbs in their fire safety wreath to represent residential structure fires that displaced residents.
At 10:42 p.m. on Saturday, the Cantonment, Ensley, Brent, Bellview and Osceola fire stations responded to a residential structure fire in the 10000 block of Bowman Avenue of 10 Mile Road. Firefighters arrived to find a working fire that had extended to the attic of the single-story home. During the primary search of the home, two dogs were rescued by ECFR firefighters; however, one pot-bellied pig was discovered deceased due to the fire. The American Red Cross assisted the displaced occupants. ECFR conducted the investigation and determined the fire was accidental and electrical in nature.
On Saturday, an accidental fire that started on the exterior of a single-story multi-residential home on Mobile Highway displaced occupants.
Also last week, a fifth-wheel camper used as primary residence near Hill Drive in Brent injured one person that was transported to an area hospital by Escambia County EMS. The fire cause of the fire is under investigation by the Florida Bureau of Fire and Arson.
the “Keep the Wreath Green” fire safety campaign is a collaborative initiative with the City of Pensacola to promote fire safety during the month of December. During the month-long campaign. Five-foot wreaths are on display at locations that included 21 county fire stations. Each time firefighters respond to a residential or commercial structure fire with damage, a green light bulb will be replaced with a red one to remind citizens of the dangers posed by fires in residential and commercial buildings.
Pictured: A Saturday night fire on Bowman Avenue. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate High’s Lacy Wilson Signs To Play Softball With Huntingdon College
December 11, 2024
Tate High School’s Lacey Wilson signed on Tuesday play softball for Huntingdon College
For more photos, click here.
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Takes Two From Northview, Tate Falls To PHS (With NHS Gallery)
December 11, 2024
The Jay Royals swept two from the Northview Chiefs Tuesday night in Bratt.
In boys action, Jay defeated Northview 60-46, and in girls action, Jay topped Northview 69-15.
For a photo gallery, click here.
Also on Tuesday night, The Pensacola Tigers defeated the Tate Aggies 70-62.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Walnut Hill Man Arrested For Shoplifting And Drug Possession At Atmore Walmart
December 11, 2024
A routine call at Walmart led Atmore Police officers to arrest a Walnut Hill man for shoplifting and drug possession recently.
While on another call, officers observed Walmart Loss Prevention confronting 54-year old Rodney Showers, 54, for allegedly stealing merchandise. Officers assisted in recovering the stolen items and detained Showers.
During a search related to the arrest, officers reported finding a small amount of crack cocaine and a glass pipe containing drug residue in Showers’ possession.
Showers was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft of property fourth degree. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center in Alabama, where he remains in custody.
CSX Is Done With Crossing Closures, Maintenance in Escambia County
December 10, 2024
There’s some welcomed traffic news today for Escambia County drivers today — CSX is done with crossing closures and maintenance in the county.
Over the past several weeks, CSX closed almost every one of their railroad crossings in the county from downtown Pensacola to the state line in Century.
But the last of the closed crossings opened Monday, and an Escambia County official says the railroad company is done with their work in the county.
Most recently, CSX returned and redid work at the Old Chemstrand, Kingsfield and Ten Mile road crossings, all of which opened on Monday afternoon.
Pictured: Railroad closures on Old Chemstrand, Kingsfield and Ten Mile roads. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
