Elderly Man Dies As A Result Of Highway 97 Crash

October 11, 2011

An elderly Walnut Hill man died this morning from injuries he received in a September 29 accident on Highway 97,.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 80-year old Sam Tichi was traveling east in the driveway of Tichi’s Garage in a New Holland skid loader when he attempted to cross the roadway and pulled onto Highway 97 into the path of a southbound Ford Explorer driven by 22-year old Brittany L. Tutton of Atmore. The SUV overturned onto Highway 97 in the mid-afternoon crash.

Tichi was airlifted by LifeFlight to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola where he passed away from his injuries at 6:30 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Tutton was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola in serious condition. Her 3-year old daughter, Maddix L. Tutton, received minor injuries and was treated and released at Baptist Hospital.

The crash remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.  The Walnut Hill, Century and McDavid stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, the Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.

For a photo gallery from the scene, click here.

Pictured above: Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free a 22-year woman from this SUV after she collided with a piece of equipment (pictured below) crossing Highway 97. The occupant of the equipment, 80-year old Sam Tichi was transported to Baptist Hospital by LifeFlight where he died October 11. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

17 Responses to “Elderly Man Dies As A Result Of Highway 97 Crash”

  1. Shannon Taylor on October 16th, 2011 5:25 pm

    Sam was one of my great uncles, and he will be greatly missed. Has there been any finding released from the investigation?

  2. atmore appliance on October 14th, 2011 9:56 am

    sorry to hear it, he was a great guy

  3. Carrie on October 13th, 2011 12:12 pm

    Sam,
    Brittany is ok to a point, I talked to her mother a few days ago and I believe she has a broke neck, and banged up pretty bad, she is talking and is in alot of pain. She has a long road to recovery.

  4. sam on October 13th, 2011 9:39 am

    anyone know is brittany is ok

  5. Carrie on October 12th, 2011 8:46 am

    SOrry for your loss Mrs. Tichi, My prayers are with you. Mr. Tichi was a good man. Heart of gold!

  6. susan schoellhammer on October 12th, 2011 5:35 am

    He was my buddie when i was al\ble to work he would come in and get his coffee and i would al;ways have him one ready.some of the girls would say he was grumpy i tell them you have to no him to reallt love him he was sweet as suger my heart goes out to all his family he was a well loved man.R.I.P.i love you

  7. EMD on October 12th, 2011 2:21 am

    So very sorry. May God comfort family and friends in their sorrow over this loss.

  8. Maggie Jackson on October 11th, 2011 10:26 pm

    Terry, I am so sorry to hear of Sam’s passing. My heartfelt prayers are with you and the girls.

  9. Angi B. on October 11th, 2011 6:55 pm

    I am so sorry to hear of this families loss, prayers to you all…

  10. 429SCJ on October 11th, 2011 3:50 pm

    Though I did not know Mr Techi personally, I knew of him. His skills are ledgendary in this area. A Master Mechanic, Machinist, Welder/Fabricator and a Gentleman. When I think of the loss to Mr Tichi’s family and the loss of all that knowledge and proficiency he accumilated over 60 years as a mechainic, I am saddened. I am sure that if the Good Lord drives, his vehicle will be running great, with the arrival of Mr Tichi. Prayers for the Tichi and Tutton families.

  11. Leslie on October 11th, 2011 3:13 pm

    We are so sorry to hear about this. Prayers to the Tichi family.

  12. Tennelle and Family on October 11th, 2011 2:37 pm

    Mrs.Tichi,
    We love you and you know we will be praying for you and your girls. Again, if you ever need us we are a phone call away.

    Love,
    The Hornings

  13. Mary Holmes on October 11th, 2011 2:30 pm

    We Love you Uncle Sam. We will miss you!

  14. Pam on October 11th, 2011 1:43 pm

    Mr Tichi you will be missed by all of us

  15. Molino-Anon on October 11th, 2011 11:52 am

    Sorry for the loss and prayers with the family.

  16. Andrews Sod on October 11th, 2011 11:41 am

    Our hearts goes out to your family! You were a good man and will be missed!

  17. Neighbor on October 11th, 2011 11:13 am

    Sorry for the family’s loss. Love and prayers to you all.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News