Three North Escambia Residents Injured In Highway 97 Crash

September 22, 2010

Three people were injured in a two vehicle crash just before 8:00 Wednesday night on Highway 97 in Davisville.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Teresa Etheridge, 54, of Walnut Hill was northbound in her 1994 Buick Park Avenue  when she failed to notice a passenger van stopped in the northbound lanes of Highway 97 waiting to turn into the Diamond gas station. Etheridge rear-ended the van driven by Timothy Mason, 51, of Century, at a high rate of speed, pushing the van forward nearly 100 feet. Both vehicles came to rest against each other in the northbound lanes of Highway 97 north of Nokomis Road.

Mason, who was ejected by the force of the crash, was transported by ambulance to Atmore Communty Hospital. He was not wearing his seat belt, the FHP said. His passenger, Delia Mason, 47, was also transported to Atmore Community Hospital. Both had non-life threatening injuries, according to the FHP.

Etheridge was transported by LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola  in serious condition. Etheridge was charged with careless driving. Troopers said alcohol or drugs were not a factor in the crash.

The Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.

Pictured top and bottom: Three people were injured in this two vehicle accident Wednesday night on on Highway 97 in Davisville. Pictured inset: This photo shows the damage to the van after the two vehicles were separated.  NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

22 Responses to “Three North Escambia Residents Injured In Highway 97 Crash”

  1. Teelya Mooney Whitehead on September 27th, 2010 2:22 am

    According to the State Trooper she was going an est 60 mph. I guess we would have had to be there to know exactly what occurred. Now wouldn’t we. Teresa is my sister.

  2. Lisa on September 26th, 2010 9:57 am

    i am glad to say Mr tim and Mrs d r ok but it could have been completely avoided had the driver of the other vehicle would have been payin attention so now they all have to suffer the consequences and from wat i understand mr tim did have his seatbelt on but when u get hit from behind at that fast of a speed then wat do u expect?

  3. Dawn on September 25th, 2010 9:37 pm

    I just have to say I’m not surprised that there was a wreck at this location because I have almost rear-ended lots of cars and trucks here! Alot of drivers have a problem with slamming on brakes to turn at the last minute! I was barely driving the speed limit this one time and this car slammed on brakes to put on their blinker and have to wait to turn and i was behind them and to keep from hitting them i ran off the road a little bit. I’m not saying that this was what caused this accident to happen but I’m just saying that it does happen! I’m glad everyone involved will be okay and are doing ok. I will pray for them to have a speedy recovery!

  4. Jewels on September 23rd, 2010 3:38 pm

    Horrific and CW,

    Were either one of you at the scene?
    Did you see the tail lights to verify that they did, and or did not work?
    Were you behind, or in front of the van to see if there was a blinker or not?

    I have a 1971 Mustang and all parts work. Yep, even the tail light’s and blinkers.
    So the age of an auto is not a precursor for failure.

    Herrific,
    What part of the after reports, “NO DRUGS OR ALCHOCAL” was a factor in the accident. Yes people drive at a faster pace than ever, yes we are all distracted with either, music, children, spouses, bad day at work, got in a tiff with the boy/ girl friend. The list could go on and on.

    Just trying to clear the air.

    And for all of the thought’s and prayers we thank you again.
    I will continue to pray for Ms. Etheridge, her family and for a speedy recovery.

  5. The Bloodsworth's in Bratt,Florida on September 23rd, 2010 12:25 pm

    Our prayers are with both families. I’m sure all involved are going to feel the reprocusions of this accident for a long while. Hang in there everyone and keep the faith!

  6. wayne on September 23rd, 2010 10:30 am

    That is my Aunt Dee and Uncle Tim, I am glad they will be ok to. Thats alot of prayers answered and they are all very appriciated…They both got hurt but as we all know time heals wounds and life connot be replaced, I thank God that they are ok….

  7. CW on September 23rd, 2010 10:30 am

    Notice the front seats in the van in the lying down position. They’re gonna have sore backs for awhile to come.

    The van looks pretty old so I have to wonder if maybe their tail lights weren’t working or something, or maybe failure to use a blinker.

  8. Horrific on September 23rd, 2010 9:21 am

    Aed

    I was not referring to your mother hon,
    I said that. She did go to the hospital anyway so she will have had a blood test.

    And no body said that anyway or referred to her as drunk or drugged.
    We all know sometimes ppl get side tracked even when they drive.
    We are ALL so sorry that this whole thing happened and we ALL
    hope I’m sure that ALL three will be ok.

    I’m very glad to hear your mom is doing ok this morning.

    What I was referring to is some of the others and that this type
    of wreck is actually very common anymore and that I have said on
    here before that they won’t slow down to let ME turn in over and over.

    Good luck hon
    with your mom.

  9. Teelya Mooney Whitehead on September 23rd, 2010 8:51 am

    Thanks AED for clearing that up. I am most thankful that all are going to be alright. Lord, I thank you and priaise you for protecting them from further injury. I’m the sister of Teresa Etheridge

  10. Aed on September 23rd, 2010 8:28 am

    Just to clear things things up she was Not under the influence of anything. Also the State Trooper said she was going a est. speed of 60 mph.

  11. Oversight on September 23rd, 2010 7:54 am

    From the photos and considering that the van was stopped, it doesn’t look like an excessive speed issue. What type of damage would one expect from running into a stationary object with a big tuna boat at 55 mph?

  12. Horrific on September 23rd, 2010 7:40 am

    They also just had the wreck with the logging truck hitting someone from
    behind that was trying to turn in.

    I don’t know what people are looking at or doing.

    They probably need to make sure everyone has a blood test after these
    wrecks.

    I’m not saying that was this ladies problem, but just saying they should
    probably do that every time there is a wreck. I think there is a lot of times
    that they would find there actually were extenuating circumstances as
    in drugs or alcohol AND that would clear speculation if there was not
    and it was a simple case of mind wandering.

  13. Angi on September 23rd, 2010 7:11 am

    Hoping that everyone involved is alright. Wow! For Mason to have gotten ejected out of the vehichle, there had to be some speed in the impact. People please remember to buckle up, Drive the speed limit ( there is a purpose for the speed limit to be posted at different speeds in different locations), however in some places that are posted 55, it should be alot slower in those areas. And not only do we have to watch our own driving, but we also have to watch the other drivers as well…

  14. Noneof on September 23rd, 2010 7:00 am

    The speed limit isn’t that high there.

    I have had trouble turning into my drive and had trouble turning into
    the gas station on 97.

    Wayyyyyy to fast!

    I hope everyone will be ok.

  15. Michelle on September 23rd, 2010 6:34 am

    How fast was she going? That is insane!!

  16. Oversight on September 23rd, 2010 5:23 am

    “Mason, who was ejected by the force of the crash…”

    Seatbelts have been proven time and time again to save lives; buckle-up people – the life you save may just be your own!

  17. Aed on September 23rd, 2010 1:49 am

    My mom was the driver of the car. She is doing okay just very banged up. thanks everyone for the prayers. Praying for Mr. Tim and Mrs. dee. i thank God that all 3 of them are alive and safe.

  18. DEE MILAM on September 22nd, 2010 10:11 pm

    THIS IS MY BEST FRIEND, DUSTY MASON’S MOM AND DAD!! THEY WERE IN THE VAN AND HE WAS EJECTED!! EVERYONE PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FAMILY!!!

  19. Samantha on September 22nd, 2010 10:07 pm

    Praying for all involved!! Claiming all will be healed in the name of JESUS!! Amen!! GOD IS SO GOOD! (:

  20. the convict on September 22nd, 2010 9:23 pm

    that was a horible accident i was at the gas station when it happend and i helped the people in the accident i fill so helpful

  21. 5th grader on September 22nd, 2010 9:15 pm

    I was on my way home and we had 2 go past it and the whole front side of vehicile was gone i feel so bad for that family, my dad is one of the ppl who called for help

  22. Css on September 22nd, 2010 8:39 pm

    Keeping everyone in my prayers :)