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Names Released: Baby Dead, Adult And Toddler Injured In Fiery Crash
April 13, 2012
An infant was killed and two others were injured in a single vehicle crash Thursday afternoon in Atmore.
Three-month-old Alexis McGhee died in the single vehicle crash just after 1 p.m. Thursday on Highway 21 near the casino in Atmore. According to Alabama State Troopers, she was not restrained. She was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene.
Emmett Clyde Gross Jr., 24, of Atmore was driving north on Highway 21 near the casino in a 1985 Oldmobile Cutlass when he lost control. The vehicle left the roadway, hit an embankment, became airborne and landed on its roof in a field. The vehicle then burst in flames.
Gross, who was not wearing a seat belt, was also ejected from the vehicle. Another passenger, one-year-old Kelyn McGhee, was also injured. Gross and Kelyn McGhee were airlifted to the USA Medical Center in Mobile in two different LifeFlight helicopters in critical condition.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by Alabama State Troopers.
The Poarch Fire Department, Atmore Fire Department, Atmore Ambulance, the Atmore Police Department, Poarch Police Department and the Escambia County (Ala.) Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured: A car burst into flames after a single vehicle accident that claimed one life in Atmore Thursday afternoon. Reader submitted photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
58 Responses to “Names Released: Baby Dead, Adult And Toddler Injured In Fiery Crash”
as the grandmother of this sweet little baby girl that i will miss dearly i would like to say that i wish everyone would keep their negative comments to their self. the paper said emmett was traveling at high rate of speed..let’s not forget the speed limit on 21 by the casino is 65mph.i lost 2 people that i loved and will miss everyday but in my heart i know that it was just an accident. it could have happened to me or you, emmett loved those babies that is one thing that i know for sure we have suffered enough so please if you have anything bad to say about my son-in-law keep it to yourself
this is really a sad situation, my hearts goes out to all the friends and family, I agree that seat belts should be worn and children restrained in their carseats, but I would much rather be thrown the a windshield than be in a burning car, folks want charges filed but if god is ready to take you home that’s what is going to happen no matter who what are where you are. It is always so sad to hear about small children leaving this earth before their lives start but the lord has a reason for everything, again my prayers go out to the family.
REGARDING:
“a child can be properly restrained in carseat and seat belt, but when the car is in an accident with roll over the seatbelt doesn’t hold.”
I wouldn’t punish anybody because nothing you can do is worse than what they are already suffering.
I will accept it is possible for seat belts to fail, just less likely than if they aren’t used in the first place. I would hate for people to not use them for fear they might fail.
According to DOT requirements, seat belts must hold at least 4,000 pounds at the weakest point. That’s enough to protect most people from being thrown into windshields or into other unforgiving objects.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.209
S4.2 “- – - webbing in a seat belt assembly shall have not less than the following breaking strength when tested by the procedures specified in S5.1(b): Type 1 seat belt assembly—26,689 N; Type 2 seat belt assembly—22,241 N for webbing in pelvic restraint and 17,793 N for webbing in upper torso restraint. “
Now, as everyone knows, a Newton is about 0.22481 pounds of force, so 26,689 Newtons is 6,000 pounds
22,241 N = 5000 pounds pelvic restraint
17,793 N = 4000 pounds upper torso restraint
David for sympathy, caution and seat belts
>>>Even the newspapers have different stories, this one says that the children were not restrained. The Atmore paper says that the children may not have been properly restained
That’s because the Atmore paper has not updated their website. It also does not name the children — it’s an old story.
The state trooper report says they were unrestrained.
I can’t believe how some people are wanting charges to be filed against the father. Nobody knows what really happened yet not even the police, that is why it is under investigation. Even the newspapers have different stories, this one says that the children were not restrained. The Atmore paper says that the children may not have been properly restained. I know from experience that a child can be properly restrained in carseat and seat belt, but when the car is in an accident with roll over the seatbelt doesn’t hold. The carseat was ejected from the car, it happened with a 86 model monte carlo. So, don’t be blaming the father for not restraining the baby’s, it could have been a malfunction of the seatbelt. My prayers are with the fathers family that he does recovery from this accident. My prayers are also with the mother.
Why do some insist on calling this an “accident”? It was not an accident. It was negligence. Negligence that took the life of an infant. An accident is an occurrence that no one has any control over. Negligence is when someone does something stupid and it causes harm…….very big difference! I accept the fact that this baby is now in the arms of Jesus but the family will suffer the mental anguish of losing this baby for the rest of their lives.
I met a miricle today….I met little Keylen. What a sweet little boy. I call him a miricle because he survived the crash. I like to think that while the car was “rolling over” he some how was in God’s hands. Just wish the little baby and Emmett could have been okay as well.
THIS is why we have to have good parents, instruction, teachers, signs, lights,
laws, and LEO’S and yet……. What is called accidents by loved one’s is
called something else by others.
@Terri Sanders you said it all……
May all our loved one’s have a safe weekend and may GOD help us ALL!
My prayers are with this family in their great time of loss! I pray that Kelyn will not have memories of this horrible accident. We have all had times when we took chances that we should not have taken. I will be praying for this father as he recovers. I know if he had a choice he would have gladly his life rather then loosing the child! Alexis is now with her heavenly Father, but the others will be in my prayers. May God bring you comfort in this time of sorrow. BB
praying for you chasity sorry for your lost .
The problem with people learning any kind of lesson,is that it is usually very painful and often learned too late.
I also see this all the time! Little kids not in carseats or bucked in..Its Infuriating It breaks my heart that little girl had to loose her life because of Negligence. I would NEVER even go out of my driveway without my son in his carseat. Its just common knowledge Folks Its the LAW for a reason.
May god be with emmette and his babies. We are praying for them and the family. I just want to tell the family god will help y’all get through this. Because we are going to keep praying. And sorry for yalls lose. And I just want to say thanks to the two men that pulled baby keelyn from the burning car. And I’ll be praying for y’all to because I know it wasn’t easy for y’all to see that either. And god will bless y’all too! God bless, and I just want to ask everyone to keep this family and all people involved in their prayers.
My prayers go out to both families. No one know the time nor hour of their calling so please leave the negative comments to yourself and pray for the families .I really hope he pulled through this . From the class of 06 you are in our prayers to both families
Why is it so hard for someone to buckle a child up? There needs to be charges. Stop being so lazy while driving. Buckle in children, Wear a Seat Belt Yourself, Use you Blinkers, Don’t Speed…… etc.. Is it really that hard to drive safe?
Tina – I will not bash you – but, I will bash all the people in Atmore and else where who do not buckle up there children…..I watch a women the other day in Atmore walk her son or grandson out of Walgreens (very small child – could hardly walk- put him in a Cruser and drive off with him in the front seat – no car seat didn’t even buckle him in…..If people want children, PLEASE PROTECT THEM, or don’t have children….. The police in Atmore should start cracking down on everyone not have children restrained in their cars – —– come to the ball park and watch every car that leaves – you can write tickets all night long for no seatbelts……
I would hope that charges would be brought against him. Would this be thru Poarch, Alabama state troopers or Atmore. It is my understandanding that Poarch has law inforcement in this area. I am interested to see if charges are filed. Was the child in a carseat not buckled in or just laying on the seat.? I believe he would be charged if this was Flordia or any other state.
lord prayers goes out to the familys that have to endur this but my u give the mothers strenght that we know only you can do in jesus name amen and im keeping the familys in my prayers be bless
i hope that everyone recovers from this…lets think about something peopel….if the baby was buckled in she might still be alieve….i hope chagers are pushed against the man that was suppose to be taking care of this poor baby.
What is it going to take for people to learn? The information is out there, it is easy to find. Yet, people continue to put their children’s lives in danger. There is no excuse at this point, yet I constantly see people driving around Atmore (and elsewhere, but a lot in Atmore) with their infants sitting in their lap. I just want to shake them when I see it. God gave us children to protect, so DO IT!
I agree with Tina. ALL children should be in restraints, ESPECIALLY a three MONTH old!!! So very sad!
My thoughts and prayers are going out to the family. Dear lord please lay your hand on this family during this tragic time. I ask in your holy and wonderful name Amen.
So sad! My prayers go out to this family. This is also a tragic reminder to wear your seat belts and buckle your children up no matter where you are headed!!!
Praying for all involved! RIP sweet baby angel…
According to Alabama State Troopers, she was not restrained. She was ejected and pronounced dead on the scene. WHAT???????
OH MY Goodness….. WHY was this baby NOT in a carseat??
and I don’t care how many of you bash me for saying something “negative”
She should have been restrained!
Will there be any charges for the ‘responsible” adult in the car?
praying for the family. i have a almost 9 month old at home i couldnt imagin losing him like that i would never be the same. hope the other two are going to be ok and i pray that they are able to pull through even though its going to be hard.
This is such a heart breaking tragedy. I knew the mother and her family, and my heart aches for everyone involved. As a mother I cant even begin to imagine. My baby is 2 or 3 days older than the little angel that was taken to her HEAVENLY home and it hurts so bad to look in my daughters’ eyes and try to feel the pain that Chasity is going through. Just so thankful that GOD does love the little children and I thank him for protecting Keelan. I pray for the father that he pulls through this. I did not know him but I know he did not plan for this to happen. We all do or have done something in our life that we should not have. We are all human and we think we are superwomen or superman and that it’s not gonna happen to us. But it can and it will. I wish I could change what has happened but God had his hand in it and there is a reason behind it and we will never know “why”. Just remember to pray and try to lift this family up. Also remember all the workers and people that helped. This does affect them. Horrible memories that they will also have to live with, so say a prayer for them each and everyday.
My thoughts & prayers are with the friends and family. I couldn’t imagine losing a child.
Everyone please continue to keep this family in your prayers. The life that was taken of the baby girl, is now rejoicing with her heavenly father. She was only put here for a short period of time and God called his angel home. He had his arms wrapped around the little boy that he DID NOT sustain not one injury! Praise the Lord. Please continue to pray for the father as he did sustain multiple injuries. I pray for all the comfort and peace for them as they struggle through this tragedy. I am real close to them and they would love nothing more than to have all the prayers possible! Thanks!
The family of the young man injured needs lots of prayers. He is in very critical condition, I am not sure who said he was gonna be fine. But they must not have been at the hospital and seen him in ICU and really talked to the doctors. A mother lost her baby…but another mother has a child (even though he is 24) hanging on to life and what type of life is unknown because of the severe head trauma that was sustained. So please pray for both families here…
God Bless this Family…..
My heart weaps for this tragic loss..God please carry this family,for at a time such as this they can not walk alone..No one could.What do you say to someone this has happened to?There is nothing i can think of.Only God,Family,Friends,Prayer&Time..This is soooo sad! Its hard for me to even comment!! All i can say is, this is one of the most horrific things that could ever happen to a family..God be with them!
I heard from a friend of their family that the little boy is going to be fine, & the dad had to have surgery but is expected to be ok as well. I can’t even begin to imagine what it would be like to lose a baby in an accident like that.. especially a 2 month old. Praying for the family and praying that God will comfort them during this time..
My prayers goes out to this family…
its a hurting to lose a love one my heart goes out to the family losing his grandmother a few days ago now his child him and another child serious hurt i pray for them and every on this site please help me pray for this family
R.I.P. Baby Alexis!
I pray that the other two are alright!! Such a tragedy but Atleast we know that that baby is on heaven with God! I’m praying for the family in these tough times though!
God bless pray wish an hope this open ppl eyes god is coming soon
My hearts is breaking for this family. To lose a sweet baby. I prayer the father and other baby pull thur. My prayers are with all the family. May God wrap his arms around them all.
My heart hurts for the family of all that was involved. May god be with them.
My heart goes out to the family. It’s sad to heard that another baby life ended so soon. But God knew best. And we can’t question his work.
Today was already a sad day for me, my father birthday is today.God called him home 2004. I was on my way home in poarch.I came up on the accident, I begin to pray that no one had lost their life. Later, I got the news a baby lost her life. I just begin to cry.my heart is double sad now. I will keep the family in my heart and prayer.
Praying for this family :-’(….for an innocent child to be taken is always devaststing!! But Heaven has gained another sweet angel, and may God be with the other two injured..
So sad to lose a child.. Mine are adults, but I still cannot imagine the grief I would have to endure if they died before me.. My prayers are with the family..
Really sad. Prayers for the family.
Omg…prayers going to this family. What a tragic and horrible story!
Heaven received another angel. Prayers and condolences to the family
Our family is praying for this precious family
Very sad.
My Prayers Go Out Tew This Family!
wrap your loving arms around this family Lord.. I’ve said a prayer and I’ll say another tonight. I can not even imagine the pain. God Bless them :’(
this is one to many wrecks that happen at that casino area….something needs to be done there have been so many children who didn’t deserve to die, that has been killed in this area. poarch or atmore or whoever needs to do something, there are not any stop signs leaving from mcdonalds or hardee’s all there is are yield signs. the area is really to bright in the evening hours and the bright strobes from the casino are very blinding. there needs to be more stops signs and red lights or caution lights or something bc there is no need in letting anymore innocent children or anyone else for that matter to die at this area….praying for the families involved…
God be with this family.
So very sad!! Praying for victims and their families!
Praying for the family. This just breaks my heart.
This is happening way to much lately. Praying for all the families who have lost their loved ones, especially the young ones. : (
May God be with them..God rest this baby’s soul..
Praying for this family!