Flomaton Wreck Involved Man Free On Manslaughter Bond For 2007 Traffic Deaths Of Atmore Couple

March 25, 2009

The driver of one vehicle involved in a Sunday afternoon crash near Flomaton was free on bond at the time of the crash after being arrested for manslaughter in connection with the death of an Atmore couple in a Baldwin County traffic accident.

Authorities identified the driver of a pickup involved in a crash on Highway 31 east of Flomaton Sunday afternoon as George W. Hauer, 59, of Flomaton. Hauer’s pickup collided with a car occupied by a Flomaton family, critically injuring one.

Hauer was arrested March 7 and charged with manslaughter for the 2007 death of an Atmore couple in a Highway 31 wreck near Perdido in Baldwin County. Hauer was released on a $300,000 bond and remained free on that bond at the time of Sunday’s accident.

In the March 20, 2007, wreck, Dwight Eugene Nichols, 74, and his Wilma Ellavan Nichols, 77, of Atmore were traveling south in a Mercedes E320 on Highway 31, when they collided with a northbound sports utility vehicle driven by Hauer, according to Alabama State Troopers.  The Nichols died a short time later at an area hospital.

Troopers said Tuesday that Sunday’s accident involving Hauer was still under investigation, and that no charges have been filed in connection with the accident.

Sunday’s accident happened just after 4:00 p.m. on Highway 31 at Old Fannie Road. Two people were transported to Pensacola by two different LifeFlight helicopters, one to Sacred Heart Hospital and one to Baptist Hospital.

31flomaton10.jpgOfficials say the car, driven by David Smith of Flomaton collided with a truck driven George Hauer. Smith was transported to Baptist Hospital by ambulance was non-life threatening injuries. Hauer was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by LifeFlight in serious condition.

Leigh Smith, a passenger in car, was transported by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in critical condition. Her condition was reportedly upgraded to stable Sunday night. Another passenger in the car, Samantha Bryant, a senior at Flomaton High School, was transported to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola with non life threatening injuries. Passenger Curtis Byrant refused treatment the scene.

Relatives tell us that Curtis Bryant suffered a broken wrist in the accident; Davis Smith suffered a broken jaw; and Samantha Bryant suffered just minor injuries. The mother, Leigh Smith remains hospitalized with broken ribs, a broken shoulder and a broken knee.

Pictured above: Rescue workers work to free a victim of a  Sunday afternoon accident near Flomaton. NorthEscambia.com file photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

10 Responses to “Flomaton Wreck Involved Man Free On Manslaughter Bond For 2007 Traffic Deaths Of Atmore Couple”

  1. ANGIE ANDERBERG on March 27th, 2009 9:04 pm

    ALL I KNOW IS THAT IT IS SAD TO HAVE SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT GET HURT SO BADLY AND THEN TO FIND OUT THE SAME PERSON THAT DONE THIS TO YOUR LOVED ONES HAS ALLREADY TAKEN LIVES OF OTHERS LOVED ONES…. GOD BLESS EVERYONE FOR THE CHANGES THAT ARE GOING TO OCCUR IN THEIR LIVES FROM THIS POINT ON….

  2. tara on March 27th, 2009 11:46 am

    To dbg, the Smith family is not able to work due to all their injuries. And bills are still there, now added on are medical bills. Mrs Smith will require months of physical therapy after her surgery. Mr Smith’s injuries will require time off from work as well. Then you must still consider one of their children is still in school. And the other suffered a broken wrist which keeps him from working as well. I believe help is warranted. That leads to the community to be giving enough to help out. And I’m sure helping, even a small amount would be a great deal for a family in such need. Just because they are all alive doesn’t mean they do not need help during this tragic time. And as far as I have heard George was released a few hours after arriving to the hospital. So I’m assuming he is fine.

  3. dbg on March 27th, 2009 10:20 am

    How is George doing? There has been no update on his condition. Sounds like the Smith family is doing fine. What is the “fund” for?

  4. kristy lambeth on March 26th, 2009 1:43 pm

    the family would like to say thank you to everyone for their prayers and phone calls. I would like for everyone to know that I have set up an account at Pen Air Federal Credit Union in century if anyone would like to make a donation to help with their expenses. you will need to tell the teller my name Kristy Lambeth then David and Leigh Smith fund. we ask that everyone still keep the family your prayers.

  5. mary w on March 26th, 2009 11:40 am

    omg, to all of you your in our prayers, from mary and dennis in illinois

  6. Carolyn Bowman on March 26th, 2009 9:45 am

    Leigh, David, Curtis and “Sam” – Thank God you are all ALIVE. This is a terrible thing that’s happened! You all have our prayers from her in North Carolina. Love you all, Aunt Carolyn

  7. Luana Lindop on March 25th, 2009 8:57 pm

    David, Leigh, Curtis and Samantha.. Robert and I are praying for you all.. Love you all. I will try to get up there just as soon as I can. The Lord is with you. Love, Mom Luana

  8. D.R. on March 25th, 2009 5:53 pm

    We all need to pray for these people.

  9. BGA on March 25th, 2009 5:14 pm

    Hauer needs alot of prayers all around the world)))))))))))))))))))))))))

  10. tara on March 25th, 2009 4:47 am

    Thank you for the update William. Prayers still remain for the family.