Woman Dies In Hwy. 29 Crash

February 26, 2010

One person was killed in a two vehicle accident on Highway 29 Thursday afternoon.

The accident at the intersection of Highway 29 and 9 1/2 Mile Road claimed the life of Eloise Hall, 76, of Pensacola. Hall was a passenger in a 2006 Scion driven by Charles Gandy, 64, of Lenox, Alabama.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Gandy was northbound on Highway 29 at 12:22 p.m. Thursday when he turned into the median to cross onto 9 1/2 Mile Road. His view of southbound traffic was obstructed by a large truck. The FHP says he pulled into the path of a 1997 Saturn driven by Shawn P. O’Neal, 26 of Pensacola. At that point, neither driver was able to avoid the other, according to the FHP.

Another passenger in Gandy’s vehicle,  Karen Gandy, 68, of Lenox, Alabama, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with critical injuries. Charles Gandy was also transported to Sacred Heart with minor injuries. O’Neal was not injured.

Everyone in the accident was wearing seat belts, according to the FHP.

The Florida Highway Patrol says charges are pending in the accident.

Comments

8 Responses to “Woman Dies In Hwy. 29 Crash”

  1. Felicia Amerson on March 3rd, 2010 2:00 pm

    My niece Karen Broxson was killed on 7/22/09 at this same intersection by a woman who was talking on her cell phone and not paying attention to what she was doing! This is the 3rd death at this interesection and we have already contacted the DOT about putting a light up there! This is a long process and probably want be done anytime soon! My thoughts and prayers are with this family. We know first hand how they feel!

  2. Tom Helms on March 2nd, 2010 1:45 pm

    Please drive to the right side !!
    If you are turning across a 4 lane roadway and have to stop in the median, stay to the RIGHT. If another driver is attempting to cross in the opposite direction and stays to the right side, you BOTH will have a clear view of oncoming traffic! If you are on the left hand side both of you will NOT have a view of oncoming traffic.

  3. Joan / Nan / Dorothy on March 1st, 2010 8:56 am

    This is Karen (Odom) Gandy. Nan and Ellen, your family is in our prayers. We have fond memories of you and your family from our time together in school and at Ensley First Baptist Church.

    My parents moved from the West side of Hwy 29 9-1/2 Mile Road to the East side of Hwy 29 after many years of my father having to cross at this intersection. He became increasingly concerned about his early morning commute to work through this intersection and ended up changing his route to 10 Mile Road because there was a red light there, then they moved to the East side of Hwy 29 near the Kingsfield Road area which helped on his morning commute to work.

    Until DOT takes action on making this intersection safer, readers from this area please chose an alternate route even if it takes a little longer to reach your destination. There have been many people killed at this intersection throughout the years.

  4. hunter on February 28th, 2010 8:21 am

    i hate to hear about that women

  5. Angi on February 26th, 2010 9:16 am

    I am so sorry to hear of this woman losing her life, my thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. I agree, there needs to be a light put up there at that location; before more lives are lost…

  6. Interesting thoughts on February 26th, 2010 9:05 am

    DOT is who you have to talk to, not the FHP or Sheriff’s Office.

  7. molinojim on February 26th, 2010 8:43 am

    I’m with you on this Angie. I had a wreck at this intersection years ago after a driver pulled out in front of me. One of the problems with the intersection is that those on 29 who are turning on to 9 1/2 turn to early and block the view of the other driver who is turning. I use 10 Mile Rd. to turn because of the light on 29 and also Palafox. You are correct that there needs to be some thing done at 9 1/2.

  8. Angie C on February 26th, 2010 12:37 am

    I saw this accident happen. I am so sorry to hear that the lady passed away. My Deepest sympathy goes out to her Family and Friends.

    I just don’t understand why this intersection STILL has NO Light….I mean Just how many people have to lose their lives at this intersection before the State or County decide to do something. This same intersection claimed the life of a friend of mine last year. Innocent lives are being lost here due to the fact that the Almighty Green Dollar just might have to be spent. Come on Government Officials lets get on the ball and put up a light.