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Baptist Pastor Killed In Nine Mile Road Motorcyle Crash
March 7, 2010
A Milton man died in a crash Saturday morning on Nine Mile Road.
The Florida Highway Patrol says Gary E. Laird, 52, of Milton, was killed when his Harley Davidson motorcycle was hit by a 1985 Lincoln driven by Pamela Denise Knight, 38, of Pensacola.
Laird was the pastor of the Avalon Baptist Church in Milton.
According to the FHP, Knight was eastbound on Nine Mile Road near the ballpark when she attempted to turn across traffic onto Hummingbird Boulevard and struck Laird’s motorcycle. Both vehicles had a green light.
Laird was wearing full leather protective gear and helmet. He was pronounced dead on the scene by Escambia County EMS.
Charges against Knight are pending the completion of the investigation, according the the FHP. Troopers said she voluntarily submitted a blood sample for analysis, and that impairment is not suspected.
Comments
28 Responses to “Baptist Pastor Killed In Nine Mile Road Motorcyle Crash”
A terrible accident–our prayers go out to the family-
What has happened with this accident–I’ve not seen anything in the PNJ or Tv as to the investigation-
Will Miss Knight be charged with anything!
Just wondering!
Gary was a member of CMA and was on his way to our meeting. We will greatly miss our brother and friend. Please people, make every effort to look for motorcycles. There are more on the road now than ever before because they are cheaper to operate than an cage (automobile). They weigh 2 to 3 tons, the bikes weigh around a thousand pounds, no contest. Brother Gary had all the right gear, he rode a white motorcycle fully equiped and yet he was not able to survive the impact at least in the case, of a tank of an automobile.I pray DOT takes notice and puts that light on red after the arrow so this can not easily happen again. Unfortunately this may only come with a fine of $180 for careless driving for the driver but she will have to live with taking a life for the rest of her life. There are no winners here. A sad price for such a precious life as Gary’s. My prayer is that this will burn into every driver in Escambia/Santa Rosa’s mind and perhaps more attention will be paid and a life can be saved because of it. His family and many friends remain in our prayers.
Terry (Big T) Richardson
Vice President
CMA/Maranatha Riders
Our hearts are breaking at such a tragedy that affects so many lives. Not only is Pastor Laird’s family suffering at such a tragic loss, but his congregation is also suffering a tragic loss. I can’t image how my family would handle such a loss if we were to lose our pastor (Pace Community Church). He has been such an instrumental blessing to our lives, as I’m sure Pastor Laird was to all who knew and loved him. Our prayers will forever be with all of you.
When our pastor told us about this horrible accident my heart broke. My prayers have been and will continue to be with this family and church congregation.
Our prayers and thoughts are with Debbie, Michael, Matthew, and Josh. I wish there were words to heal the terrible loss that you have suffered. Gary was a wonderful man to his family, to his church, and to his neighbors. Our neighborhood will never be the same without his smiling face riding down the street. May God bless and keep you through this difficult time. We love you.
May God Bless and Keep the Laird Family. They have lost a wonderful husband, father, and man of God. I know that we have certainly lost one of the best neighbors anyone could hope for. Our neighborhood will never be the same
without seeing Gary’s smiling face riding down our street. God comfort Debbie,
Michael, Matthew, and Josh. We love you
i go to church with a great neice of his and she is devistated. my prayers go out to all of the family members.
The whole thing is horrible.
One man dies, and a women is probably ruined.
No winners here!
So sorry for both these families
Our thoughts are with you, your family and church, as you endure the weeks ahead. We will continue to keep you in our prayers.
To the Laird family, friends and the Avalon Baptist Church family:
We would like to express our sincerest sympathies in your time of great grief. We cannot imagine the pain you are enduring.
We pray that God’s everlasting arms will embrace you, comfort you and hold you up. We will be in fervent prayer for you all.
May God’s peace cover you,
A brother and sister in Christ
My thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family and his congregation at this time. I have worked with Gary at Covenant Hospice for several years, he is one of the kindest, most amazing people I have ever met.
if, IF, local law enforcement actually ENFORCED the traffic laws, perhaps, we would have fewer ‘accidents’… There isn’t one stop light in Pensacola that is ’safe’ to drive through when the traffic signal turns green because of the reckless and blatant disregard shown by red-light runners.
this lady, had a green light, but, she FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY.
make an example of her… it makes no difference whether she was ’sober’ or not… all the more reason to be held responsible for a piss-poor decision that cost a man his life.
To the Laird family and congregation, I know that this is a time of great sorrow and I know that words are not enough to comfort you. I do know that prayers work and just wanted you to know that Pace Community Church is praying for you and may God help you through this time of grieve.
I saw this horrible accident..& i just want to know if the lady wasnt “impaired”..was she on her cell phone??/ just curious!! My prayers go out to this man & his family!!!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Laird family and church congregation.
Our prayers are with all of you. Gary’s family and the church. We attended Pace Community Church and were ask to pray for all. May God be with each of you. May he sustain you in your grief and grant you inner peace.
Although no words can take away the sorrow that you bear, may it be a comfort to know that our church (Pace Community Church) was asked to pray for your family and congregation in our morning services today. May the Father of us all, whose mercies never cease, sustain you in your grief and grant you inner peace.
Please accept our heartfelt prayers,
Donna and Scott Kramer
My Heart goes out to Debbie and her children. May God send down angels
to surround you in this time of sorrow and hurt. you know where Pastor Gary
is. May God Bless and Comfort you.
Debbie…I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your sons during this difficult time. I pray that the peace and serenity of Jesus will carry you all through the days and weeks to come. I know that His hand will be on you, comforting you, guiding you and giving you strength. God bless you all.
We would like to extend our sympathies to Mrs. Debbie and her family for their loss. Our prayers are with you.
My prayers for the heartbroken, hurting family and church family.
My prayers are with the family! I am so sorry for your loss.
I want to extend my families deepest sympathy to Cousin Norman and Sue and their family. May God be with you all and ease your pain. Gary was an inspiration to all of us. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tub and Harriet Laird
Art and Sharyn (Laird) Tompkins
Rodger and Candy Laird
Mike and Kathy (Laird) Borsa
Randy and Brenda Laird
Left hand turns From Autos are the #1 Killer of Riders, However If you Ride, you need to Ride farther out in front of you Than just The Handlebars, Please all Riders be aware and be Safe. God Bless Him and His Family .
Many prayers will be going up for the family, friends, and congregation today. So very very sorry.
My thoughts and prayers are with Gary’s family. I have worked with him at Covenant Hospice. He is an amazing person.
If I’m not mistaken, that is the same spot a young couple was killed at back in ‘04. A traffice light was added since then, however that didn’t matter yesterday.
Our prayers go out to the family of Pastor Laird, his congregation and friends. May God comfort them during this difficult time. With love in Christ from a fellow Baptist.