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Cause Of One Crash Off Bridge Now Known; Cause Of Fatal Crash Still Unknown
March 8, 2010
Drivers crashed through the guardrail on a North Escambia bridge two times in less than two weeks, but we now know that at least one accident was not caused by the 50-year old bridge or the roadway.
Both accidents happened on the Jacks Branch Road bridge over Jacks Branch, just north of River Annex Road. In the first accident, a Cantonment woman was uninjured. In the most recent accident, a Molino man died.
When Denise Ann Holden, 47, of Cantonment crashed through the guardrail on the bridge just before midnight on February 22, her vehicle went over the side of the bridge and fell about 25 feet into the water below. Her Chevrolet Trailblazer was completely submerged, the tail lights barely visible. She managed to escape the vehicle and was rescued by Cantonment firefighters.
The Florida Highway Patrol has determined that Holden’s crash was caused by a tire failure, not by any problem with the road or bridge. She was not impaired in any way, and she was not charged in connection with the accident.
In the most recent accident early last Friday morning, William P. Merritt, 30, of Molino died when he crossed over the center line, ran off the road, struck a guardrail and flipped into the branch, about 25 feet below the bridge. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The cause of Merritt’s accident is still under investigation by the FHP.
The Jacks Branch Road Bridge over Jacks Branch, was constructed in 1960. Escambia County has the bridge on a low priority replacement list at an estimated cost of $1.96 million. The 160-foot long bridge has a posted weight limit of 33 tons.
To read more about Holden’s accident, click here.
To read more about Merritt’s accident and see a photo gallery, click here.
Pictured top: Denise Ann Holden of Cantonment was not injured when she crashed over the side of a Jacks Branch Road bridge on February 22. Pictured inset: William P. Merritt of Molino was killed March 5 when he hit this guardrail and flipped into Jacks Branch. Pictured below: Merritt’s truck was turned over by firefighters in attempt to save him. NorthEcambia.com exclusive file photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
14 Responses to “Cause Of One Crash Off Bridge Now Known; Cause Of Fatal Crash Still Unknown”
I miss you Willie! Merry Christmas little brother. We love you!
Willie,
You will be missed little brother. This was a great man who was a great role model of an Uncle for my daughter. He was always making her smile, when she was worried about me. Everyone says we Soldiers are hero’s but the real hero’s are the people, like Willie, who keep our families smiling and driving on. Thanks Man for everything you did and the inspiration you projected to everyone.
I hate that this had to happen to such a beautiful person. Willie had such an impact on anyone he ever crossed paths with. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and his numerous friends. We have truely lost such a great person. We will always love you and miss you Willie!
RIP BIG WILLIE
Al– My bad. Thinking about another accident where alcohol was involved and I had a senior moment. I apologize for the error. She was still very lucky.
molinojim – please reread the story.
The Florida Highway Patrol has determined that Holden’s crash was caused by a tire failure, not by any problem with the road or bridge. She was not impaired in any way, and she was not charged in connection with the accident.
New tires can fail as some one said. The Goodyear store in Milton has a new tire that was punctured by a pair of pliers and they are still in the tire for “show and tell”. I think I do recall from when this accident happen that alcohol was involved. A bad combination–night time–alcohol and a blow out. She is very lucky.
I wrecked in the same exact spot about three years ago. I am truly grateful it wasnt worse. This bridge is a really bad spot. I am grateful that the other lady and myself made it. I only wish Willie had as well. He was a friend of mine and loved by many. He will be truly missed!
Tire failure or not, lets put that one in the “W” colum for the angels. As for the other accident that took the life of Mr. Merritt, lets hope he did not suffer. both accidents were very tragic and i wish there was a better ending for the second one. I am glad the lady in the first one was ok. Also thank you and good job to EMS and all those who assisted, helped, rescued, or what ever else with both of these. Finally my condolances to the family of Mr. Merritt, you will be in my prayers. there is really no need for the negative comments unless they are in some way useful to investigating this.
I agree with Glad – why so much negativity? This lady is so lucky to be alive and I am sure he was terrified – let me throw another twist into the mix – she may have had new – well maintained tires , maybe with a manufactures defect? Or could she possibly have hit some debris in the road at a prior time which caused a tire problem? I have driven these roads for many years and see a lot of stuff that falls off trucks and trailers that are not properly secured – could it have been one of her neighbors fault???? (Since some want to place blame maybe they should look closer to home) Nails and pieces of metal could easily have contributed to this in my humble opinion.
A tire failure often feels like you hit a slick spot…
She must have had slick tires that was going bad and needed changing, glad they discovered what the cause was and so glad that she got out of there alive; since the poor lady did not know how to swim, bless her heart I know she was so so scared, thank the good lord above for the help she received from these emergency authorities with getting her out of there…
Oversight Why do you want to question about what they found. Just be glad she is still alive. I read these comments every day and some people do not mind hurting these people. I hope nothing never happens to you then you will know how these people feel.
Tire failure? I thought the driver reported that she hit a slick spot in the road which caused her to crash. And a tire probably did fail when the vehicle hit the concrete and steel guardrail system.