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Local Man On A Crusade To Prevent More Deaths At Highway 29 And Byrneville, Bluff Springs Roads
August 15, 2008
A Byrneville man lost his granddaughter on Thanksgiving day 2005 at the intersection of Byrneville Road, Bluff Springs Road and Highway 29. It’s a tragedy that he says could have been prevented with a traffic signal, and he is on a mission to save other lives from being lost at the North Escambia intersection.
Callista LeEtta White died November 27, 2003, at the intersection. She was returning to Pensacola after spending time on Thanksgiving with her family. It was raining, and she approached Highway 29 too fast, apparently not realizing that she was near the intersection. She missed the stop sign and hydroplaned into the path of of a tractor trailer truck on Highway 29 about 7:35 p.m. The 2003 Northview High School graduate died a short time later at West Florida Hospital.
“I’m not doing this for Callista,” Leroy White (pictured left) of Byrneville told NorthEscambia.com “I am doing it for the ones that are still around, the ones that are still driving on these roads.”
White wants to see a caution light installed at the intersection, and he wants to see that speed limit on Highway 29 in the area lowered from 65 to 55 m.p.h. That, White believes, will help prevent more accidents at the intersection, accidents like the one that killed his granddaughter on Thanksgiving Day.
“If they can have a red light up here on Highway 4 in Byrneville, why can’t they have at least a caution light over there on 29?” White asked, referring to a traffic signal at Highway 4 at Byrneville Road.
White apparently is not alone in wanting something done about the Highway 29 and Byrneville/Bluff Springs intersection. He said 450 signatures requesting improvements at the intersection were gathered on a petition that he presented to the Florida Department of Transportation.
“I believe that if there had been a caution light at the intersection, it would have saved my granddaughter,” White said.
The most recent fatality at the intersection was on June 23 when Carolyn Hightower, 60, of Pensacola died as a result of injuries she sustained in a two vehicle accident there. Her husband, Richard Hightower, 63, was seriously injured in the crash. The Florida Highway Patrol said that Floyd D. Calloway, 65, pulled into the intersection from Bluff Springs into the path of the Hightower’s SUV.
“I just don’t want to see it happen to another family,” White said.
Pictured above: Approaching the Highway 29 intersection on Byrneville Road. Pictured below: The accident at the intersection that claimed the life of a Pensacola woman on June 23. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
5 Responses to “Local Man On A Crusade To Prevent More Deaths At Highway 29 And Byrneville, Bluff Springs Roads”
I would just like to say that I also agree with Leroy if they would just start paying attention to all the wrecks that we’ve had at the intersection of byrneville road they should consider a red light, or something besides letting it just keep happening to other people, because my family members have even got into wrecks their and it’s heartbreaking to know especially if someone you know is in a accident that could’ve been prevented by a red light. I’ve lived in Byrneville ever since I was a kid, my mom always worries about my sister and I on this road all the time, she tells me never to drive that way unless I have to go to Pensacola then she begs me to call her on my cellphone to make sure I’m ok. We need to step up and make a traffic light their so all the parents won’t be worried about their child and so we can prevent anymore bad accidents from happening at this bad intersection… I hope that Leroy gets his mission that he’s always wanted accomplished.. Thanks Kasey
I would like to thank my father for stepping up and trying to get something done about this awful intersection. I’ve live and worked as a school bus driver in this area all of my life and there has been numerios accidents there, not to mention deaths of to many people. Sure in this day in time everyone is in a hurry however if having a light and lowering the speed limit saves just one life its worth it! I would like to ask everyone to give their support in this heart felt effort and be thankful for people that care so much about you and your loved one to go the extra mile to help prevent any more accidents there. God bless each and everyone of you and thanks for your support.
I agree with Leroy that something needs to be done about that dangerous intersection. I have a teenager and when I know that he is going to travel through that intersection I worry. My nephew was involved in a wreck at that intersection about a year ago. We were blessed that he only had minor injuries. Most wrecks at that intersection have fatalities because of the high speed. They need to drop the speed limit through there like at the Molino intersection. A redlight would also be beneficial. I live in Byrneville and I agree that the traffic light at Driskell’s is not needed half as much as one at the Bluff Springs intersection. How many more lives will have to be lost? I hope and pray that they will do something there before another life is lost! I also hope that Leroy gets his mission accomplished ! !
A woman pulled out from Byrneville Rd in an SUV right in front of my wife coming north on 29 at around 60 mph a couple years ago. She collided with the SUV. Thanks to her Kia’s airbags and low center of gravity, she only had minor injuries but it was a real scare for her and myself. The SUV passengers (2) had few if any injuries. Powerful flashing lights and warning signs ought to be enough at first. A light may be overkill. But something is definitely needed. Three cheers for this man’s efforts.
I think a traffic light, and lower speed limit is a good idea for this intersection. I am always so afraid when I approach this intersection. I think sometimes people misjudge the speed of the cars on 29, I think some of are going over the speed limit, and absolutely could not stop in time, if someone pulled out in front of them. I hope Mr. White gets his mission accomplished