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Man Killed, Family Critically Injured In Wreck Near Jay
December 3, 2011
A Milton man was killed and several members of his family critically injured in a two-vehicle wreck about 9:00 Saturday morning in Berrydale, east of Jay.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 47-year old William J. Bray of Jay had stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Highway 87 and Highway 4. He failed to see a northbound 1998 Ford SUV driven by 40-year old Michael L. Cale of Milton. Bray pulled into Cale’s path. He collided with the Cale family vehicle, causing it to overturned two times. Cale and two of his children were ejected.
Michael L. Cale was pronounced deceased on the scene by Lifeguard EMS. Dominique Cale, 14, and 10-year old Ethan Cale were ejected. Both were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Passengers Courtney Cale, age 16; Brandon Nicholson, 10; and Marsha Cale, 46, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The Florida Highway Patrol said charges are pending against Bray, who was no injured in the accident.
Comments
33 Responses to “Man Killed, Family Critically Injured In Wreck Near Jay”
Such a tragic accident. My heart and prayers go out to The Cale family as well as to Mr Bray. This was really a true and tragic accident. I know Mr Bray and he is extremly upset of this tragedy. Please do not judeg him or assume he does not care about what has happened. He is a very safe driver. I trust him to the point my children ride with him often. He is a good guy and would give anything for this not to have happened. i do hope that the ones hurt get well soon and are able to be home with their family soon. I also pray for them as they cope with their lose.
I too live in the area, just miles from this intersection. it is a safety hazzard to any driver headed north on 87. like the other berrydale native i have seen my share of wrecks there. I usually slow down to a crawl if i have to pass through this intersection, i have had a few pull right out in front of me. the pole in question is a blind spot and you do have to pull forward beyond the white line some, can some one push the state to move this pole five feet westward? who do we contact? it falls on deaf ears if it doesnt concern the safety of our more southern voters in the p-cola, milton, tiger point areas. use your voting tools next time at the polls and replace the deaf ones with the willing ones…..
Always wear your seat belt while driving. It can save your life.
I know Mr. Bray there is not a finer man that I know I know he is devestated by this. I pray for him and the Cale family so much it is a tragic accident. God Bless
The state isn’t going to move the pole or the road. That would cost too much money.
The only sensable thing to do is put up a red light. The only drawback is there is usually a body limit before one is put up.
It is dangerous they need to move the poles that are blocking the view of the Milton way from jay
My Family and I came up on the wreak yesturday,my heart broke seeing the vehicle Mr. Cale and his family was in you could tell by looking at the wind sheild that someone came through it, I didnt realize til later that it was 2 child as well went through it also.I prayed then,later and now that those injured gets healed both by the lose of Mr. Cale and there scars from the wreak. To all the Family’s involved and Friends whom this affect my God be with you all,may you all can find comfort,God Bless
How very, very, sad and trajic. I pray the Lord to wrap his arms around this family and protect and please heal their injuries and may they all find some kind of peace during this horrible time of pain. Amen.
Prayers to all the families and friends and emergency workers that were/are involved. The only thing I would like to say is Ford expeditions, rangers and a few other hosts of vehicles Ford makes (and all other makes of vehicles also) has had several seat belt malfunctions and or recalls in the past. . If you bought a vehicle from a private person you may or not have been notified. Google Ford expedition seat belt recalls. It might be a wise idea to Google the make of your own vehicle about safety recalls. You would be surprised
This is a very dangerous intersection. I would like to see something there besides the stop signs. My prayers are with all families involved in this tragedy.
So sad to hear any thing like this but at this time of the year is even worst. May our GOD be with this family and both side of the accident.
My Name is Turkey Tolbert I used to live about 1 mile from the Berrydale Crossroads. I lived there for 17 years. IN 1969 My Aunt had a 1969 V.W. We had gone to get som peanuts, from her Uncles Patch. We were headed North from the South I was in the front passengrs Seat. I noticed that there was a black Car Coming from the east heading west. As we come throuh. AS we got in the middle of the intersection The black car ran the Stop sign, on my side of the Right door. Big gash in my head.There was no Caution light back then. I don’t think there should be a four way stop sign. I don’t think that would help. Some thing needs to happen there. A red light or a four way stop sign with a big big Cautionlight with huge red Blinking lights on all sides
Mike was a friend to me and many others he will be deepley missed I pray for the recovery of his son his doughter his wife and all the rest of his family May God be with you Mike your friend Mike Owens
May God be with both families involved. Hoping that all will be alright…
To the Cale family, I am so sorry to hear of your family’s loss.
Amen EMD
How sad and tragic. Prayed for all involved and touched by this. Prayed that all heal emotionally and physically. So sorry.
I strongly suggest Everette and others drive to that intersection from the west and then tell me that is an open intersection. As others have stated that concrete pole is situated in a very bad place. Praying for all the families involved.
We don’t know either of the families involved here, but want you to know we are so sorry for both families. May God be near and give you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Our prayers are with you all
There can be many reasons for an accident— but to not have seat belts on is hard to understand. They will help keep you in the car and help the driver keep control of the vehicle. Sorry for the family and friends of these folks.
I have lived in this community my entire life and can not even begin to count the accidents and deaths that have occured at this intersection. The concrete pole that is located on the west side of this intersection does block the view of north bound traffic if you are stopped at the white line. And yes it has been reported numerous times to the DOT department. This may or may not have played a part in this accident I do not know but I can tell you with 100% certainty that the other driver in this accident was not under any influence and is completely devistated from this accident. After reading some of the comments on here I am so glad so many of the readers of Northescambia.com are such perfect people. Just remember tomorrow it could be you and your family facing some of these same issues. My prayers to all families involved in this terrible tragic accident.
My sympathy to both familys involved. This is a horrible accident to hear about. I’m so sorry for the Cale familys loss of lives however casting stones does not change anything. Nothing was in the article about the Bray gentelman drinking, texting, or just being careless. It was an unfortunate accident, no one could for see. If so I’m sure the ones thrown for the Cale vehicle would have been wearing seatbelts. That is still a law too right?
I live near this intersection and I can tell you that it is very dangerous..There are too many blind spots when you are approaching from the east and west..I don’t know if a stop light will fix the problem or not..There is at least one accident there a week..The DOT knows about it but as of yet they have not tried to fix the problems…Maybe we can call our representatives and try to get a stop light installed there. At least it may help some…Just be careful when you approach this intersection…
When you stop at that stop sign going east on hwy 4, there is a large concrete post to your right that holds the wires for the caution light. This pole has created a blind spot for me at times. Bad placement by the DOT.
@ Everett I live with in a mile of this intersection and the cement pole does cause a blind spot . Yes if you pull up far enough past the pole you have a better view but there are many wrecks at that intersection.If you are traveling east or west on highway 4 the cement poles will obstruct your veiw.There was a period at one time there was at least one a week.My husband and I have stressed to our teen drivers how to avoid that blind spot and how easily it is to mistaken that it’s clear to go when it is not.It is a horrible time and I feel so very sorry for the Cale family.We were at the scene of the wreck and saw everything and I pray for comfort for the family,his wife and children and that they recover from their injuries,but let’s not point fingers at the other driver.I can assure you he is very upset as well and was not drinking.It is a very sad time for all involved including Mr Bray.He will have to live with this for the rest of his life and will be haunted by it everyday.He is a good person that was involved in a tragic accident and is just as upset or more so by what has happened.Put yourself in his place before you make a comment and best of all just pray for all involved instead of wasting time pointing fingers.It isn’t ironic he wasn’t hurt it was a blessing.
I hope y’all are ok.
I came up on this accident this morning. It was a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to the family of those injuried and the loss of life. My prayer is God will hold you in his arms during this time.
Wide open intersection or not, all of us at some time pull out in front of other drivers when we don’t see them but we should have. I just got a newer truck, a year newer that my previous, same model. Something is different because I now have problems with the side mirrors being too high and I find it extremely difficult at times to see someone I should be able to see. I am truly sorry for the family and their loss but lets not go overboard and crucify the man driving the other vehicle. None of us are perfect drivers and accidents happen.
I personally know the man who hit this family and he was not under the influence and he was not speeding, nor did he run the stop sign. He is a good man who caused an unfortunate accident. He is taking this very bad. He needs prayers as well as the family who lost their loved one.
That is a wide open intersection from any angle. You would have to be not paying attention, texting, or under the influence to not see traffic coming at least 1/4 mile down the road from the stop sign.
Ironic the person responsible did not get hurt.
Pray for the families who lost love ones today. It’s going to be a tough holiday for them.
Mike you will be missed, praying for the family, it’s really hard to find the words right now, we are in shock, .
My husband nephew killed,why people in such hurry or drink and drive?
scale
God have mercy on the family,friends and love ones of the people involved in this accident. My heart,thoughts and prayers goes out to all.
May the Lord be with all families involved and give each of your comfort and peace. I pray that the Lord will hold each of you in his arms during this tragic time.