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Three Dead After Atmore Wreck
September 5, 2011
Three people died in an early morning accident Monday in Atmore.
The accident happened just after 2 a.m. on Brookwood Road in Atmore. Authorities said 25-year old Jeremy D. McNeil of Atmore, lost control when he struck railroad tracks just east of the Huddle House restaurant at a high rate of speed. The Pontaic G6 left the roadway and traveled over 100 feet before hitting two trees.
Two passengers, 17-year old Ricky Herrera of Bay Minette and 14-year old Coby James Smith of Atmore, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger in the vehicle, 18-year old Leonardo Cuenca, Jr. of Atmore, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola in critical condition.
Atmore Police said Cuenca was the only occupant wearing a seat belt.
Further details on the crash were not available; it remains under investigation by the Atmore Police Department and Alabama State Troopers.
Comments
87 Responses to “Three Dead After Atmore Wreck”
i miss coby and ricky so freakin much ! and happy late birthday coby james <3 (oct 22 2012) i know that their families are torn . my sista jus had a baby by ricky not long before all this . she is so beautiful and reminds me so much of ricky !!! and they both have wonderful families and many friends … we all miss u both so much .. i didnt know jeremy but i do believe he is missed like the others and i send prayers to all there families . Leo is doin so much better now . i know he was hurt so badly and felt so guilty bein the only one that survived . and regardless of what happened or how it happened it was their time to go . truthfully i believe even if what was said is true he had a reason … GOD ! NONE OF WHAT I SAID MAKES ANY SENSE IM SURE BUT I LOVE YOU ALL !!! R.I.P COBY JAMES SMITH (BUBBA) RICKY JOSH HERRERA (WERO) && JEREMY MCNEIL (JUJU) !! YALL ARE ALL VERY LOVED AND MISSED !!
It broke my heart when i heard about Ricky, and Coby being in that vehicle and killed. ever since then i have been having nightmares but they are flying with wings cause now their angels. R.I.P Coby and Ricky we will miss you forever and my prayers go out to their families.
Were all gonna miss you Coby Smith your gonna be loved and missed so much i just wish i could have had that last chance to hear your voice :’-( I would do anything for you to be here with us again I miss you Bubba
R.I.P I LOVE YOU!!!!
Leonardo Cuenca, Jr. came home on crutches. I sure feel for him. He’s gonna have a tough time for awhile.
So sorry for the loss of all three, but I can honestly say no matter what cirumstances caused this accident it was an accident and it breaks my heart that people have to
put judgental comments sometimes thoughts are better left as thoughts. I didn’t know any but Jeremy and I Knew him very well!! He was one of the sweetest people with a heart of gold, you never seen him with out a huge smile on his face! I know his family is hurting and for them I pray for strength. Wanda, Donnie, Jon, and the rest of the family you are in my prayers! I will always remember our times together, RIP Jeremy Duane!
People come in and out of our lives.Some are lifelong,others are brief.Some die young.We do not know why.I know that this is another case of life gone very young.I pray that with time,families will rebuild their lives.I always thank God for everyday with my child.I could drop her off at school and never see her again.She may stay at a friend’s and die on her way to see a movie.God will have his way.Those boys getting in that car and crashing was his will.Leo, you have a greater purpose.Look to the Lord for your calling. 3 died and 1 survived.That is no accident.Believe me!
The candlelight servise last night was very emotional! Glad i got to talk to Tanner and tell him i loved him! Jus stay strong bubba! And Leo is doing great he is out of the hospitial and at home!
How is Leonardo Cuenca, Jr.??
William, I hope you can follow up on this, if you find out any more, and let us know if alcohol or drugs were involved and can get an update on Leonardo Cuenca, Jr.
I saw that car 9 minutes before the wreck fly by my house doing at least 80 mph in a 25 mph zone. All I saw were streaks of lights. So sad.
My heart hurts for those who lost their life, and their families.
How is Leonardo Cuenca, Jr.??
Coby James Smith, you will be missed I only knew you for three years and got to hang out with you just a few times. But that’s long enough to know that your a good kid and an amazing friend. I love you Coby, fly high!
If nothing else was learned from this….I HOPE AND PRAY that ALL young people see now why their parents put a curfew on them. You need to be home and safe, not out running the roads all night,,,,,no matter how old you are. MY kids never understood why I wanted them at home by a certain time…now, after seeing this, they do and i hope they appreciate it. My heart goes out to all of these families…
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends that lost a loved one in this horrible accident. Also, for the boy in critical condition. Please know that God is there with you to comfort and strengthen you through your time of grief. Take comfort in knowing that there is no suffering in heaven.
Coby was one of my bestfriends, he was one of the best kids you could have ever known. Words cannot describe how much I miss him, or love him. He was a great baseball player , and a great person in general. I will never forget him standing behind that home plate at Atmore Baseball park. He had a smile that could brighten anyone’s day. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. As a son, a brother, a friend,or a baseball player. I’m so thankful that God put him in my life, for all the years that he was. He will always have a place of his own in my heart. I love you with all my heart Cobe, Fly high .
You may put your child to bed and they sneak out.You may let your child take a church trip and they are in an accident.If God Almighty has a will, so it shall be done. I know this:Love is the greatest of all.I cannot imagine the pain in mother’s heart as she cries out for the loss of her angel.I hope I never feel the sting of a mother’s grief! When you drive your child to town, it could be your last time to hold them. Think of this. God be with them and hold them in eternity!
I DIDNT KNOW ANY OF THESE GUYS BUT MY HEART IS HURTING BECAUSE OF THE TRAGEDY.MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF THE FAMILIES AND BLESS THE ONE WHO IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY. GOD BE WITH THEM IS MY PRAYER……….
Juss Met Coby This Year && To Hear This Happening Is Sad . Condolences Out To His Family In Your Time Of Grief && To The Other Familys . Your Gonna Be Missed CJS !
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Kim and Tommy, Aunt Joyce, Logan and Tanner. May you find peace and understanding in your strong faith. The Gardners.
my prayers go out to all the familys involved. may god be with each and everone of you as you go through these tought times. god bless you all
jeremy was a great person no matter what anyone says he will always be a good person to me and will always be missed and never forgotten.I will keep all the families in my prayers and to wanda and john boy be strong your brother and son was a great person
i know a lot of people that was in that wreck and i wish all of them wer still here they will all still be in our hearts i will pray for the families and i miss them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My prayers are with each of the familys and I pray God will comfort all the families in this time of sorrow..
WoW!!!!! just sit here for an hour reading about these three young lives, who cares what age, they were all young and still had a full life ahead of them, I know one of the families the others not sure, but from reading everything posted, I think the younger generations gits it!!!! (they understand) 3 am or 3 pm anything you put 0n here possitive or negative,blame or no blame, why this, why that , the only fact that is undeniable is those lives were lost, People are funny, I hear all the gossip and read some of the things people wrote, why because maybe some of these people were older than the others, or some of the families were not as well off as the others. you know I could sit here and write for hours about comments made and so forthe, A little less than a weak ago we laid to rest one of our own young Man 19 yrs old, Cpl Nelson, for the first time I seen Atmore pull together and support the Nelson’s Travis died doing what he wanted and loved but non the less, I think we all need to look around (Nelson Family I mean no dis respect to your son or family) These young men matter too!!!!
I was there that night. The Atmore Fireman did an amazing job. Couldn’t believe how trained they are. I saw also saw the Atmore police jumping in and doing everything they could to help these young men. Thank you APD,AFD,and Atmore ambulance. We tend to be hard on you guys at times, but I was amazed that night. I could never do what y’all do. So thank y’all. My prayers are to the families.
we need the LORD in a situation like this. my heart goes to those who are wounded from this TRAGEDY. may those boys/men rest in peace. they were taken at such a young age. i get the vibe the world is comming to an end. look around u america……………….. WE ALL NEED PRAYERS. once again, my heart goes out to the family members of these young men <3
my prayers go out to the familys that lost their precious sons.people stop and pray for these familys.they r hurting now.they need your prayers and support not any thing bad.my grandaughter lost her love and the daddy of her 1 month old baby.yes its hard on them now and if u have never lost a child please think before u speak.GOD BLESS ALL THE FAMILY’S.MY PRAYERS R WITH U.
my heart goes out to all the familys that lost their precious sons.my grandaughter lost her love and her babies daddy.so please all of u that have never lost a love one,please think before u speak.these familys r hurting now.yes they were out late but your child might have been out that late and u didn’t even know it.i know because i have son’s to.please pray for these familys and let them know u r there for them.
Ricky Herrera (wero), what a wonderful guy. If youu didn’t have a smile on your face he would put it there. I remember the first day I met him, I was talking to a complete stranger but he made me feel like i’ve known him my entire life.. Coby Smith, I watched him play baseball all the time. He had a wonderful spirit. My heart goes out to Ashley, Logan, and Tanner.. These boys will surely be missed.. <3
My prayers to all the families of this tragedy. Coby will be remembered by my son and I for his baseball. We played against his team and then cheered for his team this summer. May God give you some peace in this time of grief.
Untimely death of young ones always causes extreme grief. My son died at age 15 so I can say from personal experience that, even if you don’t know what to say to the grieving family members, go and spend a little time with them. They may not remember all your words, but they will sure remember your presence. If you cannot go now, make plans to visit and do something (perhaps lunch) with them soon. Grief does not end with the grave service. It will be in their hearts the rest of their lives.
My prayers go out to this family! My parents live on this block and yet it is a dangerous street I strongly doubt their intentions were to die that night. Instead of judging these families and the actions of these kids we should all drop down on our knees and send heart-felt prayers to the families…
This is a devastating tragedy.. I pray for the families of these young men.. We cannot blame the parents for this.. I don’t know all the details of this accident, but I was raised by a schoolteacher and a businessman, both christian people, and I remember some of the stupid things I did, and the risks I took when I was a teenager, and but for the grace of God, I would be with these young men..
instead yall making these stupid comments on here yall need to be checking out atmore police dept this done happen more then once and yall still haven’t caught on
The young boys should have been at home! This is why our youth is constantly getting into and sometimes causing trouble. We NEED a curfew for our kids here in Atmore. I pray for strength and comfort for the families of these young men.
Brookwood road is also known as “Roller coaster road” And people speed on it because of the hills.
Its been a few years sense i saw jeremy. If u have ever meet him he is a guy not easliy forgotten. He had a wonder personality and a beautiful smile. Not only was he a friend in school but he was family. My prayers and thoughts are with his family as well as the other familys who lost their sons. Love and prayers
Praying for all the Family’s involved & the boy in critical condition. RIP to the 1’s who did not make it<3
I will keep the families in my prayers . I know there no sorrow that heaven can’t heal.
My prayers go out to all the family and friends of the kids that were involved in this tragedy. I cannot imagine what the families are going thru at this time and I pray that the community will come together and support the families in this time of need. I pray that God will give them strength and give them some sort of comfort in their loss. Heaven just got a few more angels, God bless these boys.
We are so sadden by the news we heard on tonight. Our prayers and heart goes out to each and every family. Bobby and Donnie worked together years ago. Our son (Brian) and Jeremy played ball together when they were very young. Wanda and I sat at many games together. R.I.P
I have a 17 year old son who has been grounded several times for breaking his curfue at 11pm.Boys will be boys and this has been going on since my parents were teenagers.I pray every time my son goes out with his friends that God will bring him home safe.I’m so sorry for all the families involved.My thoughts and prayers are with all of the families involved.This is every parents nightmare! May God give you strength one day at a tme.God Bless you all.
Prayers for the families involved.
I am so sorry to hear about this tragedy. I am praying for the families involved. I have worked with the Aunt and Cousin to one of the young men and my heart grieves for them right now. I have had some grave tragedies such as this and all I know to tell you is something that may give you some type of solace ” Weeping may Endure for the Night , But Joy Cometh In the Morning” may God continue to bless and guide each one of you . My sincere empathy!!!!! Your EX-Co-Worker
MY HEART FELT CONDOLENCES GO OUT TO ALL THE FAMILIES ,,WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOUR STRENGTH.
THESE GUYS WERE VERY WELL KNOWN, MY SON ALSO KNOWS 2 OF THEM,
JUST A SUGGESTION—DON’T KNOW IF POSSIBLE,,
PERHAPS SOMETHING COULD BE HELD AT ONE OF THE SCHOOLS SO THAT ALL CAN ATTEND
IM QUITE SURE IT WILL BE AN OVERFLOW AT ANY/ALL OF THE MEMORIAL CENTERS
just got the news on cody aunt joyce kim and familey our hearts and prayers are with you all and the famileys of the the kids we love you and will be getting with you …….
My heart goes out to the families! I will keep y’all in my prayers!!!!!
If you don’t have anything positive to say please don’t post. The families don’t need to hear it and you can’t turn back time. What’s done is done.
To: Please think before you type or speak
Thank you so much for that comment…..very well said!
I would like to start this comment off by saying I am truly sorry for the families of these young men. To the people who judge or speaking about why they were out this late. We have no clue and only the family knows for certain why they were out at that time of night. I myself and half of the people on here reading this post has stayed out late when were young hanging and having fun with our friends.
I am always amazed at the comment some people post that first bash the people in the story and then say I am praying for the family. It is not our GOD giving right to judge anyone on this earth or in heaven or hell God created our highway of life before we were even born and only God can judge any man on this earth.. So let’s stop asking why they were out and send up some prayers for the families in their time of grief.
My deepest sympathies go out to all the families affected by this tragedy.
I watched Coby grow up from just a little guy in diapers.
I was a tenant of his grandparents for many years.
Many’s the day (when they got old enough) that Coby and his brothers would knock on my door early in the morning just to come in and watch movies with me or ask me if I would be working on a project they could help me with that day.
They were bright young boys.
How many boys do you know who by the age of 5 or 6 could drive a 16 penny nail straight through a 2 X 4…or read a tape measure?
Coby and his brothers could.
Coby will be sorely missed.
I didn’t know the other boys involved—by I feel for their families just the same.
For those who are worried about why they were out at that hour—does it really matter at this point in time?
Perhaps the better question to be asking would be:
“Is there anything I can possibly do to help these families get through this tragic time?”.
okay. im so sick of reading all these comments, blaming parents and wondering why oh why were these guys out at three am. QUIET FRANKLY it doesnt matter what they were doing out this late. the point is, three boys lost their lives today, and their families cant do anything to bring them back, nor can their friends, no matter how bad they want to. it’s safe to say, whether driving wreckless, fast, or slow, or not at all, ACCIDENTS STILL HAPPEN. every day all day long. yall guys really need to have some respect for these guys and their families. its really ashame, half of you are adults and are bashing these kids and their families. Mind your own business, and take care of your kids. Nothing is promised. Not even for yourself. so think ab that next time you decide to bash people ab what there doing. k? thanks!
Coby, U will be missed. Im so sorry… I’ve cryed most of today., This is horriable.. U miss u.. <3
My prayers go out to the families. This is a sad situation. Praying for all.
This is such a tragedy and my heart goes out to those families. However, the question I have is: What was a 13 year old doing out at 2 am with a 17,18 & 25 year old?
There are some hard , known facts in this case that eventually will become public.It really is a shame and was preventable. However,we cannot change the events that took place early this morning. What we CAN do is #1. support the families to get them through this time of unbelievable grief. and #2 Use the very difficult lessons to be learned here to educate our young people (and adults!) so that another family and this community doesnt have to go through this senseless tragedy again. Honor the memory of these young people and dont let them die in vain. Lets all learn from this. Love and prayers to the families and friends.
Deepest sympathy to all of the families bearing this terrible loss.
Our LORD as a plan for all 4 familys. yes!! they are young, but now they have there wings, and are angel’s now.. This could had been any one of our children so please becareful for what u say .senting out prayer for the family and love once of all.. May GOD wrap his arms around you yall..
My heart aches for these parents, siblings, grandparents, friends and loved ones…. For all who are assuming… just think… his gas peddle may have stuck, the tires might have been a factor… lets not point fingers instead lets raise our hands toward God and pray for these families…
Yes this is a sad situation for two young men were taken from thier family and friends way to early. No i dont know these families but I asure you that all this slam them with who is to blame is uncalled for. As for why they were out that IS NO BODYS business but the parents. Im sorry the weather was not that bad in the area last night. For all anyone knows they went to get something to eat HELLOOOOOOOOOOOOO PPL there are several good reasons why they could have been out. NOW WHY DONT YALL STOP SLAMMING BLAME AND COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT THESE FAMILIES IN THIS TIME OF GRIEF. JUST THINK BOUT IT. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR ALL THE FAMILIES THAT GOD WILL HELP THEM THROUGH THIS TIME .
Regardless of where or what they were doing in the early morning hours. I’m sure they had no intention of dying , They are still someone’s children. They had friends. May God be with the families and please know that you are in a lot of thoughts and prayers.
Bashing the young people and their families will not change what happened and is not needed. Pray for all involved. They are hurting.
I’ve been there. There is no pain that can hurt worse. It was 1 Pm in the afternoon on his way home from work.
Coby will be dearly missed , not only by his brothers but his parents and my aunt Joyce Fuller who is his grandmother.Coby and his brothers have been Nunber 1 in the eyes of their grandparents,aunt Joyce and the late Harold Fuller.
Our Prayers are with you all .
Love,
Alan & Ruby Hass
I dont know none of these people,,but my son has been at a friends house to stay the night and at 1 or 2 in the am,, I had to go get him he was 13 at the time he is 15 now and I will not let him go with just anyone,,,so do we know why they was out so late or early
Please don’t forget all the first responders
that worked this wreck. The images and
victims are very hard to forget. Prays for
the first responders.
Why would you let your kids out that late in a tropical storm?
I pray GOD holds each family in his hands and His will be done. Prayers and love to all the families. It’s always tragic when someone dies. but it’s worse when they have lives ahead of them.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families involved. It’s unreal! We never know when, where, why, and exactly how but we know that God has His plans for each of us. I went to school with Jeremy and his brother Jonathon. Jeremy was a sweet guy! Praying for Jeremy’s parents, Wanda and Donnie, and other families as well.
Some of you people should really be ashamed of yourselves! Four familes just lost someone and your sittin on here accusing the parents, everyones entitled to their own opinion but honestly don’t you think these familys are going through enough without you critisizing them! There is no point of sittin here and bad mouthing the parent who have just lost children, turn the situation around, don’t you think they need prayers and support instead of being talked about. It doesn’t matter what these boys where doing out late, none of you know, so don’t act like you do and throw the blame when u have no idea what your talking about.
I think at this point we don’t question what or why. You can’t live on what ifs. I can only say that the parents and families have a hard road ahead of them. They need all the support they can get from everyone. May God Bless you and your families. Our prayers for your strngth will go on. Only God can get you through this and the trust needs to be strong. I am so sorry for your losses.
Coby, you will def be missed. i love you alot. School just won’t be the same without you. ): it’s gonna be hard for all of us especially Tanner.
Honestly, at this point it doesn’t matter why these boys were out this late or what they were doing. The only thing ANY of us knows for SURE is that these boys were far too young to die and I’m sure the families of these young men don’t appreciate people getting on here saying what you THINK happened as if it were facts. It could have been anybody’s child so thank God its not and keep these families in your thoughts and prayers.
Wanda donnie jonathon my heart goes out to yall. And my heart also goes out to Ricky’s family too! And the other 2 twos family. And for everyone saying what was they doing out with Jeremy umm let’s ask the question what was there parents thinking its not just jeremys doing the youngest boys patents should have told him no he couldn’t be out that late I’m sorry if I upset some people but it comes back to the parents. Jeremy my cuz u will be missed but never forgotten!
MY HEART GOES OUT 2 ALL 4 FAMILIES MAY GOD TOUCH EACH FAMILY AND GIVE EACH ONE STRENGTH BECAUSE DEY REALLY NEED AND 2 TACO WE LOVE U BRO HANG IN THERE…
I know Coby and i send my deepest sympathy to all the families.
Regardless of where or what they were doing in the early morning hour, they are still someone’s children. May God be with the families and please know that you are in a lot of thoughts and prayers.
Prayers going out to all the families, friends and schools of the boys. Coby was a student at Flomaton……not sure about the other boys.
My prayers and sympathy goes out to all the families and friends involved. My son played baseball with Colby a few years ago, he will be greatly missed.
My daughter and nephews went to school with these boys,there family is in my prayers…there are no words that can help the family’s right now.but we certainly shouldn’t throw words to hurt these families even more.
Prayers for all the families …..Wanda, Donnie and Jonathon my heart goes out to you… I pray God give you peace and comfort during this time
My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families involved in this terrible accident. Does anyone know what School Colby went to? Wondering if my son knows him.
My prayers are with you Wanda, Donnie and Jonathon.
My deepest sympathy to the families.
My prayers go out to Coby’s family! He was on the baseball team with my son. RIP Coby!
cobys 14 .
No good can come from running the roads at 3 am
My condolences and prayers.
So sick of hearing about grown men hanging with teenagers! Y’all should have been @ home @ this hour! Anyone from atmore knows u can’t drive to fast down that road! My heart goes out to their families n friends! I’m sure they will be truely missed!
Prayers go out to the families! And ashley! Ricky is gone but not forgotten, sweety. He’s still there in spirit to be with you and that specious baby girl. RIP brandon, coby, and ricky!
3am…high rate of speed… ? This is a shame & a waste of life. My prayers go out to all involved. Just glad no other vehicles were involved.