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Three Young People Killed In Friday Night Century Crash, Two Others Injured

Three people, two teens and one young adult, died as a result of an two vehicle accident in Century Friday night.

Michael Joe Edwards, 17, of Brewton was driving north on Jefferson Avenue when he failed to stop at a stop sign, driving across Highway 4 into the eastbound path of a 2008 Ford truck driven by William H. Arnett, 43, of Holt. Arnett’s truck struck the left side of Edward’s truck, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The FHP says Edwards was pronounced dead at the scene. Edward’s passenger Daniel A. Smith, 16, of Jay was also pronounced dead at the scene. A second passenger, Jessica L. Smith, 20, of Jay was later pronounced dead at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The third passenger in the vehicle, Jacob Castleberry, 17, of Jay was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was listed in critical condition. The Smiths were reportedly brother and sister.

Arnett was not injured, according to the FHP. His passenger, Glinda M. Arnett, 30, of Baker was listed in serious condition at Sacred Heart Hospital.

None of the six people involved in the accident were wearing seatbelts, the FHP says. Alcohol was not a factor with Arnett in the crash, and whether or not alcohol was a factor with Edwards is still under investigation, according to the highway patrol.

The accident happened about 10:30 Friday night at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Highway 4.

Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash and finding Edward’s car on fire in the middle of Highway 4 when they ran to the scene to see what happened. They reported trying to put the fire out, but they said they were unsuccessful until firemen arrived on the scene.

Arnett’s pickup truck involved in the crash came to rest in the ditch on the north side of the highway.

The accident is still under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. There were no charges filed.

The Century Volunteer Fire Department, the McDavid Volunteer Fire Department and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the scene.

Highway 4 at Jefferson Avenue remained closed for several hours Friday night and early Saturday morning.

Pictured above and bottom: Three people were killed in this car Friday night in Century. Pictured below: Two people in this pickup truck were injured in Friday night’s wreck in Century. Editor’s note: The white sheet in the photographs is simply lying on a portion of the vehicle.