FWC Officer Flips Truck In Single Vehicle Wreck

November 16, 2011

A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer escaped injury in a single vehicle rollover accident Tuesday night north of Molino.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, FWC Officer Benjamin Barnard was northbound on Highway 99 north of Crabtree Church Road about 8:50 p.m. when he lost control on the wet roadway as he attempted to negotiate a curve. The vehicle began to spin, left the roadway, struck a guardrail and overturned.

Troopers said that deer or any other wildlife did not contribute to the accident.

The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and Escambia County EMS also responded to the call.

Update/Correction: A press release from the Florida Highway Patrol incorrectly indicated that Barnard’s age was 21. His exact age was not available.

Pictured above: A FWC officer lost control and overturned after hitting a guardrail on Highway 99 near Molino Tuesday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

21 Responses to “FWC Officer Flips Truck In Single Vehicle Wreck”

  1. 429SCJ on November 16th, 2011 8:19 pm

    I know that curve well, it comes up fast and will fool you. The bridge and darkness make it even more difficult. Easy to clip that guard rail.

  2. Wharf Rat on November 16th, 2011 8:01 pm

    I’m glad the officer is OK. As a young LEO, 22 years old, circa 1965, I was involved in an “accident”, called traffic crashes today. I did not have to pay a fine. I did receive several days off without pay. I had rather had to pay a fine.

  3. hkemhorns on November 16th, 2011 7:06 pm

    Why not a ticket for reckless driving or failure to control speed. I bet I’d get one from FHP. Seems to be the status quo around here. But then again, I aint got a badge. Dont get me wrong, I am very grateful for the local law enforcement here, I just dont think everytime a citizen has a one car accident FHP seems it necessary to issue a citation. You know, ACCIDENTS do happen, even to law enforcement. Again I say, I am VERY thankful for the law enforcement here and the job they do every day. Keep up the good work and Iam thankful the officer is OK.

  4. William on November 16th, 2011 6:58 pm

    Update/Correction: A press release from the Florida Highway Patrol incorrectly indicated that Barnard’s age was 21. His exact age was not available.

  5. edr on November 16th, 2011 5:47 pm

    glad hes ok to.he was probably looking for night hunters and thats good .you should never kill a deer at night.as for as shineing at night.there is nothing wrong with it if you dont have a gun in your truck.we are older but my husband takes me out some nights just to look at the pretty deer and we dont even hunt.my grandson goes and he dont carry a gun but he likes to go also just dont shine in peoples house or yard so there is nothing wrong with looking at deer at night.im 70 years old and i love looking at the deer so there.

  6. Suzanne on November 16th, 2011 3:08 pm

    So glad he is OK.

  7. AL on November 16th, 2011 2:35 pm

    Always good to see those perfect folks in their glass houses tossing stones.
    (I was in a rainy wreck going 30mph on a straight road in the daytime before texting was invented and I hate alcohol… but I imagine it had to be my fault despite FHP saying no)

    Even more happy to hear the officer is ok! Very fortunate

  8. jc on November 16th, 2011 2:09 pm

    It sounds like locol yocol is jealous of the officer for having a good career at such a young age. It’s not his fault that you are probably a convicted felon that can’t get a decent job, own a fire arm or much less get to to wear a badge. Glad he’s ok!

  9. wolf on November 16th, 2011 10:06 am

    Many officers will be involved in auto accidents in their careers while trying to do their jobs. Crap happens! Its easy to get on here and type second guesses. If you were not in that truck, you have no idea what contributed to him rolling it over. The FHP will do their job and it will be fair and just. They INVESTIGATE after the facts are in. Sometimes its immediate, sometimes its a little later. But they DO their jobs, make no mistake about that. The FWC officer was doing his job and lost control. Thank God he was not badly injured or worse.

  10. EMD on November 16th, 2011 9:59 am

    Always SUCH a bunch of negative and judgmental comments without KNOWING the facts. PULEEZE!!! One night I came off of Crabtree Church Rd. and turned right onto 99 North, NOT KNOWING it had been sprinkling there (after a long dry spell). The moment my wheels hit the bridge my truck started to go out of control. I did not know what to do. I was headed for the rail to the left of me, and knew there was water down there. I just called on “JESUS!” and my truck straightened up and came SAFELY off the bridge. People need to KNOW who to call on before something happens. They also need to know that they will BE judged as they judge. I thank God that young MAN is OK. And, I hope no one has to go through a thing and be judged by others before they get wisdom and understanding.

  11. Duke of Wawbeek on November 16th, 2011 9:22 am

    He stayed with his vehicle and notified authorities, as a good citizen should.

  12. Teresa on November 16th, 2011 7:53 am

    Re: Loco Yoca

    I cannot believe you would even make a statement like that. At least this 21 yr old has made a career instead out there getting into trouble. So you think it is acceptable to let our 18 yr old boys get guns and go fight so that we may enjoy freedoms and yet it is not acceptable for a 21 yr old who has gone thru training to protect our wildlife….IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. Have you read how many officers have wrecked? Think before you speak (post).

  13. REF on November 16th, 2011 7:49 am

    Glad to see he wasn’t hurt..he may have been i’n hot pursuit after a night hunter that got away ….LIVE ACTION

  14. sniper on November 16th, 2011 7:37 am

    and why wasnt he cited for careless driving??? every other driver of a single vehicle wreck seems to get a slapped with a ticket…

  15. Char on November 16th, 2011 7:36 am

    Lucy you got some splaining to do.

  16. just saying on November 16th, 2011 7:24 am

    @ locol yocal. Do you know how many 18-19-20 year old kids that are out fighting for your freedom right now. They have a gun too.
    Just saying.

  17. Locol Yocol on November 16th, 2011 7:13 am

    Is he old enough to be out after the curfew they are proposing? If his Mommy or Daddy was with him, this wouldn’t have happened!!! 21 with a gun and badge- really!!!!

  18. Molino Man on November 16th, 2011 7:02 am

    I’m sure this 21 year old FWC officer will have some explaining to do with his supervisors. Just glad no other vehicles were involved.

  19. walnut hill girl on November 16th, 2011 5:45 am

    Glad he is ok…I travel that road everyday and if you don’t know
    the road and going a little more then you shoild wet or not you
    can lose it…just glad it wasn’t any worse…the Good Lord was
    watching over him.

  20. SW on November 16th, 2011 5:40 am

    Sorta kinda gotta slow down in curves and wet roads…even if you’re a police officer.

  21. bm on November 16th, 2011 12:31 am

    I bet their is some shinning going on tonight in enon