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One Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash With A Horse
May 14, 2012
A Pensacola man was killed in a multiple vehicle accident involving a horse Sunday night in Molino.
James Cobb, 63, was pronounced deceased on the scene of the 8:27 p.m. crash near Victory Assembly of God, just south of Barrineau Park Road. His passenger, 56-year old Debra Cobb, was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola with minor injuries.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Cobb was southbound on Highway 29 in the left lane as a horse was running northbound in the left southbound lane. Cobb was unable to avoid the horse; the front of his 2007 Kia Sorrento hit the horse. Cobb’s vehicle continued across the median and across both northbound lanes, coming to rest on the shoulder of the road.
The horse came to rest in the southbound lane of Highway 29. At least two other vehicles struck the animal following the initial collision, and at least one other person was transported to a Pensacola hospital with non life-threatening injuries. As of early Monday morning, details on the additional vehicles and drivers had not been released.
None of the vehicles collided with any another vehicle; all collided with only the horse. The horse did not survive the accident.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol. The Molino, McDavid and Cantonment stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS, LifeFlight and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Pictured top: The driver of this vehicle died after hitting a horse on Highway 29 in Molino Sunday night. Pictured inset: One person from this vehicle was transported by ambulance to a Pensacola hospital after running over the horse. Pictured bottom inset: The driver of this vehicle was not injured after colliding with the horse.Pictured below: Traffic was backed up by the accident. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
90 Responses to “One Killed In Multiple Vehicle Crash With A Horse”
My point exactly…I was just saying that the ones that accused the “car of chasing the horse”, were not doing an injustice, were not the blame. They were simply trying to help. Thats when you accused us of lying….
case closed
They would have to be inside the farm to close the gate which I can tell you they were not there is no gate on the road unless your talking The front wooden gate on along the road which is not the pasture the horse escaped from those are just the entrance gate to the farm. Doesn’t matter what you or your witnesses thank you saw your wrong plain and simple also there were no other horses out in that pasture and if you’re saying it was too dark for your witnesses to see if there were other horses out there then it was too dark for you to see the horse bolting through the gate because again not only is the pasture fairly small but the gate to the pasture the horse was in is not along the road but in the front around the corner once you enter the farm and if you were in the farm you would’ve been in front of the horse and the horse would’ve ran right past you there’s only one way out of the farm thats open during the day and for the third time The gate to the pasture is inside the farm almost all the way to left in fact you would have had to be as far to the left of the farm to be behind the horse let me tell you again you don’t make sense. On a last note it is Terrible that we are bickering when somebody lost their life we should be praying for the people that were hurt in this terrible accident nobody is at fault you’re just trying to blame somebody when there is no blame.
Fact: “Witnesses SAW the horse come thru the gate, and yes, they did stop and close the gate. To keep more horses from escaping? Would be the logical answer. And yes, they did call for help. No lying involved, just plain facts. Why would a lie be told, when it doesnt affect them at all????? Bottom line, these people accused of chasing the horse with car, were very concerned about others safety. My point exactly. That makes perfect sense.
PLEASE JUST FOR THE FAMILYS INVOLVED THATS WHAT IS NEEDED AT THIS MOMENT. AS WELL AS SHOULDERS TO CRY ON AND AN OPEN HEART TO LET THEM GRIVE AS THEY TOO…
To the Cobb Family, We knew your dad personally and we send our greatest condolences out to all of you. To Mr. Cobb’s sons especially and Mrs. Debra. We are sorry for this tragedy, but remember the he is shouting on the hills of glory. So rejoice in his life not his death, one day we will meet him once again. The Orso’s and church family are lifting you up in prayer. We love you guys
Prayers for all involved, especialy The Cobb Family!. After all the back and forth , and the he say- she say , your commet summed it all up. When you stated that we all should just be waiting and hoping for the day to hear ” Well Done”! God has strengthed your heart and family beyond measure. I am sure your father is proud and resting in a greatful peace! May we all learn from example ” peace be with you.”
Well I can tell you your wrong there were NO OPEN GATES to his field whoever you talked to was lying. That horse was out quietly grazing for at least half an hour before he got out and there were no gates open if this person saw the horse bolt though the gate why would he take the time to close the gate instead of helping like telling someone the horse was loose your story makes no sense whatsoever.
I have my facts straight. We talked with the very one who shut the gate, after seeing the horse run out of it!!!!
First of all the cars chasing horse were not from the barn we don’t know who they were second of all the horse did not break through the gate it jumped the fence get your facts and get your facts straight before you start making rumors worse.
Let me get this straight…
Witnesses saw the horse bolting thru the gate, running toward 29. Right??
Then how in the world were the people in the two cars that were “chasing” the horse, supposed to stop, get out of the car and “walk up to the horse”?
I’m not a rocket scientist, but I can figure that one out. Thank you to the two vehicles that were trying to save someones life!!!!
Thoughts & prayers are with the family. Sorry to hear about the loss. & its sooo sad to also hear about the poor horse. Also, i would like to add that my parents & myself were coming into town on hwy 29 from a bowling tourney i was in! & for some odd reason my dog(Sadie) had gotten up from laying down in the backseat of the car & was trying to get my dads attention(the driver) to go pee at a rest area. Well it just so happens it was the last rest area before the Flomaton Exit & we were stopped for a good 15min or so, Sadie must have sniffed every single blade of grass there was to sniff & for some reason when it came time to get back in the car she refused to get in. She knew that for some odd reason something was gonna happen. Well turns out we get to the accident site & apparently it had just happened. I knew it was a bad one consiering all the police cars, firetrucks, ambulances, & life flight something was going to happen. if we would have been a few min even quicker, we could have died or possibly been in the accident & been one of the ones to kill the horse. in otherwords “Everything happens for a reason” I’m sooo very lucky that i had my guardian angels & God watching over me that night while we were traveling. My heart breaks & goes out to the families who were involved in that accident. So glad it wasnt me but so veryyyy sad for the families who were involved. Prayers are with everyone. (:(:(:(:(:
Sister Cobb,
I was shocked to hear of the death of your husband. I remember the kindness you and Brother Cobb showed to Randy and I as we visited your home on one occasion. The spirit in the home was strong and we felt a touch of Heaven that day. May the Lord comfort you and your family. My wife and I have kept you and your family in our prayers. God bless.
I happen to know for a fact the horse was not neglected. He had recently arrived in Florida and jumped out of his pasture. That is all. It was an accident and there was no real way to avoid it. I mean, how are you supposed to know a horse is going to jump a 5 foot gate? No one is at fault. It would be much appreciated if assumptions would stop for they are causing horrid rumors to spread.
@ JM I hope I didn’t come across just as rude as you. We went through a lot ourselves and I am so very sorry for the Cobbs familys loss as well as everyone else involved….
i am so sorry
My prayers go out to the family. I almost hit the horse that night turning into Mathison Rd. before it ever reached hwy 29! I called the cops immediately when I saw the horse because I remember the fatal accident a couple I years ago. Why didn’t anyone call the cops before I did? I don’t know!! People were out chasing the horse! People die when people don’t use their brain.
@Jennifer M.
How horrible for you to have lost an almost paid off car. We will all certainly
pray for your recovery.
S Cobb.
My heart goes out to you and your family.
Touching post you wrote. God Bless.
@ S.Cobb
Just wanted to say how sorry I am that this took place. You certainly had the largest
loss and now you come one to say who your father was and what he would have
thought about this. You spoke in your post with such eloquence your loved one
would have been proud. I can see your going to pick up his reign’s and walk
in love as well.
God Bless and keep you as his messenger.
Prayers to the family that lost their loved one and to the folks that lost their pet. A lot of folks had loss with this accident. But I think for all that are being so critical… just thank GOD that your family was safe and try to have sympathy for the ones who lost. and just remember like most have said animals get out. If it was not neglect then no one is to blame… and also remember we are not here to judge. Anger gets a hold of us at times, but look higher. Again I am so very sorry for your loss Cobb family and friends I can’t imagine having my life turned upside down in a matter of seconds! much love and prayers to both the Cobb family and the horse owner!!
Good grief people, what is wrong with you. This could happen anywhere on a highway or some country dirt road. Animals get out, even with all of the best precautions. This is life in the country and accidents happen. There is no one to blame in this accident. And lol, “REZONING”…REALLY!!!!! Guess all the deer that run out on the highway along that HWY 29 strip will just have to pick up and move elsewhere…My prayers are with all that were involved. A life was lost and the only lesson to be learned is that ACCIDENTS happen so you better be right with the good Lord above.
I would like to thank everyone for their Prayers and best wishes at this time of our HEARTBREAK. Our father was one of the most goodhearted people that i have ever had the pleasure to love or be loved by. He was the type person who would go out of his way to help another person.(including strangers and animals) He would not wish any ill will toward this horse owner. He was the type man who would pull over and help the owner catch his horse. That was just the way he was, always thinking of others before himself. When we got the call last night that he was dead I cried out to God WHY? I think that we can learn a lesson from him. Be kind to others, Help when you can, and be prepared so when God calls you home. You can hear the words our father heard last night. WELL’ DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT’.
This is the second time in the last several years that someone has hit a horse crossing the road in that area… Maybe all the horse owners need to take more responsibility and pen their horses better…
this is such a horrible tragedy from so many angles…….hopes and prayers out to everyone involved…..
People are being judged, tried and convicted in regard to this tragic ACCIDENT. Webster defines accident as a ‘mishap’, it says nothing about applying blame. By definition an accident is unplanned and unwanted. It doesn’t lessen the pain of the victims,but I know the horse’s caretakers must be in deep emotional agony tonight. It is natural to want to point fingers and have someone to crucify, just be thankful you are not the object of all this hate mongreling. This was a very tragic accident, not a deliberate act on anyone’s part.
@ horseowner too….The FHP does not “get rich” over any citation that they write. Any fine goes to the county, or city, in which the citation (ticket) is written. However, a small percentage of the fine does go to the State Law Enforcement Academy in Quincy. I feel for the families involved…I have seen far too many accidents caused by animals, where they were actual or “the proverbial critter” who ran into the road. There is no guarantee any of us will make it around the next curve. The body of the horse in the median might have served a purpose in the eyes of the kids in the school busses…be careful.
I’m the driver of the xterra after the first car and I thank the GOOD LORD above for taking my wheel and sparing my life,my 4 year old and his dad….we have minor injuries but we are alive… I don’t know the reason why this happened but someone is responsible for taking care of this horse and I understand they get loose but it’s the owners risk and responsibility when they decide to have one…insurance to take care of the financial part when a “freak accident” occurs cause I am greatful for my life but I’m out of an almost paid for vehicle now….
My prayers go up for this family that lost there husband/dad/brother/uncle/nephew/friend, there is so many we can point fingers at and blame, but that is not going to change a thing and it isn’t going to bring this wonderful man back, the horse back, or repair the damage that other cars indured. We just gotta pray for everyone involved that was in this horrifying night mare and the ones that witnessed it. The family members will possible read this, they don’t want to read about who is and is not at fault. The want to hear that they have many prayers going up for them. So as a community let’s come together and pray together!
*To the family who lost there loved one, my prayers are with you all. I ask that God comfort you now and through the days to come, as I know it’s not easy to lose a loved one. God Bless You All!
I was the 3rd car to hit the horse shown in the last picture above. I will say that this was an accident that felt out of a horror movie. Wrong place, wrong time. I feel sorry for the horse owner as well being a horse lover myself but i wish more precautions would have been made. However it was not my fault or wreckless driving that caused this or the damage. No matter if I was going 40mph or the speed limit or weather there was a tree in the road I could have hit, there was no avoiding it. I am thankful my son was not with me and I am thankful I will eventually recover from this (i hope) unlike others. Unfortunately my family will suffer mentally and financially from this and I feel there is a root to all problems, it could have been avoided and there is a reason you have insurance on vehicles and animals. If you can’t keep your animals safe after the second accurance and lives have been lost, someone should pay. Horrible for all parties and condolences/prayers for the the 1st vehicle… This could have been me. I’m sure many more nightmares will follow this day I will never forget.
I am saddened to hear of this accident. My prayers to all concerned – the family of the injurned, and the owner of the dead horse.
I drive that section of Highway 29 going to and coming from work almost every day. It’s usually late (past 9:00 PM) when I come home, and as I approach Victory Church, my foot comes up off the accelerator as I remember with caution what happened there three years ago. The blood was on the road for weeks as a reminder. We do need to drive with extra care when we know we are traveling through an agriculutral area where animals may be at large.
I am also a horse owner, and I live on Highway 29. I have three. Last year, we replaced our fence with something we felt would keep our animals in better than what we had. New gates were also installed along our property. All of them are locked to prevent people from stealing or letting our horses out. Most neighbors would not do such a thing, but people passing through can sometimes get up to mischief. We do have a responsibility to keep our animals in, but even the most vigilant owners still have animals escape. This was just an unfortunate accident.
I don’t think changing the speed limit would help. All it would do is make the FHP rich because they would really be able to write the tickets! Especially heading North bound where the speed drops to 55 coming into Molino. They hide over the hill and pull people over left and right, and they STILL speed! So, I don’t think it would change a thing in the long run.
There should not be unnecessary blanket rules made that infringe on private property rights and affect many as a result of this accident. Our government shall never make enough laws to stop all accidents.
My sis-in-law in the 3rd pic was involved, soo relieved to hear she’s ok. Feel bad for the man that lost his life & glad everyone else involved is ok. Sad for the horse too but thats life.
Well, prayers to all those involved. But no one is to blame here. It is called bad timing, and bad luck. The word ( if) changes every thing and no one has control over “what if” . It is another reminder to be ready for any thing.My prayers for all those who have lost in this accident.
Never had horses, but grew up with cows, pigs, and some other animals.
Anyone who has raised animals has had to get up in the middle of the night and go get them because they have found a new way to escape. Usually, it’s in the middle of a thunderstorm. Our family always offered to pay the neighbors for any damage done. It’s hard to make this right, though.
This was a freak occurance. No one meant for this to happen.
The horse jumped the 4′6 fence the fences were intact and were not the problem nothing in life is 100%. To blame the horse center is not appropriate at all the farm does everything possible to keep this from happening this is just a freak accident and as for people chasing the horse with cars it wouldn’t matter if the devil itself was behind the horse a horse gets free it runs that’s what they do it just so happened he went right instead of left. the farm feels horrible for everyone that was involved especially the family of the man that was killed but that doesn’t mean that the farm should be blamed for this tragic accident it could happen to anyone that has livestock.
all u cynicall ppl… None of u know why or how this horse got out. i cant belive at how many ppl are sitting here putting blame on somemeone or speculating that any person is at fault… u all need to get a life… and know the WHOLE story and facts before u start ranting and raving about horse or livestock owners … Those that are trying to point blame all are pathetic… dogs, cats,horses, cows,deer all wild or domesticated have and will cause minor and major accidents.. that is life when we intermingleith animals… rebecca if u saw someone chasing a horse…how do u it was the owner…iw,?… Perhapds a passer by seen it and didnt know any better (not being familar with horses) but was trying to help.. u all need to stop trying to blame some horse owner n just pray for the dear family that lost a loved one..sometimes bad things happen with no fault… just bad circumstanves lead up to this bad event.. and for the post about a horse is taught to jump… try again a horse can and will jump afence without being taught… diesnt have to be spooked or underfed. or neglected
Please quit pointing fingers.AN owner cant help if livestock gets out.no one wants to see this happen.as far as the county ,that is a state road so why are you blaming the county?they do pay a live stock person,i dont understand why he wasnt called. god bless the family that lost a loved one and god bless the person that owned the horse.i own horses and i can imagine how they feel to.its like loosing a faily member to.pray for all.
Sad praying for all involved. Owners of animals should secure pins and fences.. not lowering a speed limit..since at any speed hitting an animal of that size can cause damage.
This was an ACCIDENT, the man took more precautions than anyone else in this area to keep the horses off the road. This horse jumped a 4′6 fence and went down a 1/2 mile road to even reach 29. I am appalled at the cynical people already looking for someone to point their finger at and blame. Shame on you. Times like these are when the horse community should come together. Prayer and thoughts go out to everyone involved in this horrible tragic ACCIDENT.
Crazy things happen sometimes without fault.
Are you kidding me! Rezoning so livestock are no longer in the area of Hwy 29………… It was a horrible accident, but it was an accident. We live in the country and livestock is part of country life. If you don’t want livestock around then move to a city. You need to stop trying to blame people or talking about fencing. I bet many of you have had dogs that get out of the yard, same thing. Animals escape from all kinds of enclosures but that does not make the owner a bad person. Just pray for everyone involved (if you don’t believe in God then think positive thoughts).
@chloe- also that accident was 3 years ago. June 11, 2009. It obviously didn’t effect you as bad seeing as that date does not replay in your head daily. As for me, that date is a date in my personal history book.
@ Savannah
My thoughts exactly Savannah … have had 4 baby cows that I had to watch all
the time and out of two of my horses one of them would run right through or
over a fence a will. Luckily my country home was not near a road like this
and also someone would always make a call to me and grab my wondering
cow or horse if I was not home.
My heart goes out to everyone and everything concerned in this horrible
ACCIDENT. The important thing here now is for everyone to be nice and
come together to help the living, including I’m sure the heart sick owner
of the horse who will remember the damage done here and the life that
was lost.
I hope the 4 year old WILL recover and have a happy wonderful life (as
I hope for all involved).
God Bless
Rezoning would be incompatible with livestock production and our rural lifestyle.
Horse lover I like your idea on the heavy gage stock fence as can be seen bordering
Jack’s Brance Rd and the Wildlife Reserve land. The interstate is a good example.
I can see animals escaping onto side roads you name it there are no easy solutions,
we can only try and beware of the unexpected, but who can foresee the unforseen.
And for those who don’t know-how horses are not born jumpers. You have to teach them. And horses don’t usually just jump a fence especially one 6ft high without a rider…. the horse was obviously spooked and them chased to the hwy by 2 cars! Get the facts!!!!!!!
Prayers to all, wonder WHO will be held accountable for the 2 deaths. Person and animal. Wherever, The horse came from somewhere where someone failed, not all mistakes lead to death.. Very very said that this lady will always remember “mothers day” as the day she lost her husband. The speed limit had nothing to do with it..
Rezone Hwy 29?
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE LIVESTOCK ON YOUR PROPERTY, you are grandfathered in! State nor County can force you to sell your livestock. As long as you have 1 animal standing on your property-you can keep them. My childrens children(for the next 100 yrs) could have livestock on that same property!
Re-Zoning, if you are on Hwy 29 with livestock, is not going to help what happened here. ANY animal can potentially pose a threat to commuters regardless of the area and regardless of the animals size.
Everyone has an opinion, just getting mine out there and I have done so without placing blame to anyone involved in this accident! (It really can be done)
@CHLOE WHITFIELD – Chloe. You are reffering to my horse. His name was Jack BTW. And no these are not the same. This horse JUMPED a 6 foot fence and was then chased by 2 cars to try to stop him rather than getting out and walking up to him. My horse had gotten out because someone came to my fence in the middle of the night (possibly trying to steal my horses) and they opened my gate and let the horses out. 2 completely different situations. And both not the owner’s fault.
to all-star don’t post without knowing the facts. Don’t point blame where blame needs not pointing. If you don’t know the facts, give your prayers and that’s it. Yet again this was a freak accident.
I live on the road the horse came from. I was outside when I heard the horse galloping very fast by my driveway (with two cars following behind it). It was spooked and ran straight for the highway. It made a left going N bound on Hwy 29 across my front yard on the S bound side of the road on Hwy 29. The cars did not follow past the end of the road. I later saw a man with a flashlight. I heard several sirens and emergency vehicles go by within 15 minutes. I just knew it was the horse and it was not good. I took my daughter this morning to daycare and saw the awful scene. This is so sad for the people that were injured as well as the horse. I was thinking the entire time, Why are they following the horse in a car??? Wouldn’t that spook it more?
The horse has now been removed.
It’s FDOT’s responsibility to remove the horse according to its website because US 29 is a state road (SR 95):
“ME106-22.3.7 Removal of Dead Animals Greater Than One Hundred (100) Pounds: Be on the site for removal of a dead animal greater than 100 pounds within three hours of notification by the Engineer. Removal of dead animals will take place on a 24 hours-per-day and seven days-per-week (including all holidays).”
Source: http://www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/SMSP%2007-01-07/me106-22%2003-21-08.doc
This happened about 2 years ago with me & my sister at the same exact place!! This sounds so ironic because the facts of this horse incident is almost the same as ours! Luckily we had no fatalities. Praying for the families involved.
429.. why change the zoning on 29… For how many years have cattle and horses been kept right in this area of 29 and all up the north endright on 39… Hiw do u kniw this horse isnt from 2miles away from 29 … bc if a freak accident ppl should nit be allowed to have horse close to 29..hevk lets put a 20goot fence up to keep deer off the hwy too…
We are neighbors by where this accident happened. We are making calls to try to get this animal removed from the median. My neighbor offered last night to remove the horse with his tractor and the FHP told him NO…. that the county would handle it… good job county… just so everyone is aware I just received the call, the carcass has been removed… this will not be let gone at that though. We are calling the county commissioner and anyone else we can. There needs to be an emergency contractor on stand by for this type of accident. All we can think about are the school buses and people driving with their children and having to see this…. prayers still go out to the families involved… God be with everyone here.. and to the owner of the horse…. like I was told when this happened to my horse years ago…. listen for his hoofbeats in heaven… he will be their waiting and watching over you as he did while he was here….
I have owned smaller livestock before and I put up sufficient fence to keep them in. If the livestock owner of larger livestock KNOWS the horses are prone to get out and have an escape mentality and KNOWS that they live close to a major hwy then the owners should be responsible for putting up sufficient fencing to keep them in. YES trees fall and fencing gets torn down but to know that an animal jumps the fence and not put up fencing adequate enough to keep them in that close to a major hwy is neglect not only for his livestock but for public safety as well.
And I also can’t believe the horse is still sitting there. If it was a human you wouldn’t have left it there, have a little respect for the animal also. But with Escambia County, this doesn’t surprise me.
You people blaming the owner are ignorant. My horses have gotten out before because a neighbor of ours ostrichs got out and scared my horse so bad he jumped the fence and ran. Luckily our neighbor saw the whole thing and tied him up til we could get home. Freak accidents happen all the time and sometimes there is no way you could’ve prevented them. Instead of worrying about who’s fault it is and who’s to blame you should be sending prayers to the family who just lost a loved one, and for the others who were also involved. Yes it’s a scary and tragic experience but stop pointing fingers all the time. And people wonder why the world is the way it is now…
I’m speaking from experience on both parts a few years ago i hit a cow not on this road though but when the owners found out that i hit their cow they were wanting me to pay for it after they admitted they knew the cow was out but they didnt have “time” to fix the issue so they left and didnt worry about it and look what happened….im not saying this is the case cuz the owner of the horse could clearly be innocent cuz i am a horse owner and we use to own cows and i know how often livestock can get out cuz ours got out before and sometimes u cant figure out how they got out….and also no one knows if that horse was being chased by something and ran through the fence or perhaps jumped it…..no one knows especially if you wasnt there!!!! I pray for everyone involved!!!! God bless all involved and even the family with the four year old boy!!
@edward in the red truck…so glad u and your family werent injured, however you put on here about the ” man that did this” i dont think anybody intentionally put the horse in the road! The man that did this was the man upstairs so perhaps you shouldn’ t concentrate on pointing blame but being thankful that you and your family are safe..and do not take life for granted. Maybe you should pray for those injured and the family that suffered a loss..tragic accidents happen sometimes due to a persons neglect but also due to uncontrollable events. Im not bashing you i am just saying that you should be focused on how blessed you are to be able to have your whole family unharmed this morning. And being an animal owner regardless if its a cat or a horse sometimes no matter how responsible or cautious you are they get out whether its out of the house or out of a pen and when things happen late at night by the time its realized the animal has gotten out its too late and im sure that the horse owner is filled with sorrow and guilt over this event, and this is a burden that will have to be carried for the rest of their life..but remember some things are beyond us as humans control at certain times..just be open minded at the emotions in the whole circle of ppl involved.
I am so sorry for the families of the loved ones involved. However, I am appalled at all of the livestock bashing. It could have just as well been a deer which we have many that cross Hwy 29 or a drunk driver that caused this accident. The speed limit in that particular area is 65. If you wish to drive slower, then drive slower. I have lived here 24 yrs and dodged deer, etc. Yes, I am a horse owner and also used to own cattle. Animals get out, it happens. We are a farm community in this area and I doubt the horse came from anyone that lived off of Hwy 29, it probably came from a side road and the owner will never be found is my opinion. Hitting a deer at 55 plus miles an hour can take a life or cause severe damage so just lay off of the livestock or take another route. You do have other options than to come through our town. No, I am not the horse owner, mine are in their pasture and I am no where off of 29. I have worked with the public before and you people just find anything you can to complain about and the problem here is a horse accidentally got out and someone accidentally hit it and was killed and it is a tragedy!
The horse is still in the median so be careful everyone…DISTRACTION!!! Couldn’t someone have came out last night to remove the horse???
Praying for all involved…just a warning to those coming and going on 29, the horse is still in the median abs it is very gruesome looking. Hopefully they will remove it soon.
Our prayers go out to the mans family . There was a horse that caused an accident a few years ago in about the same area and I think it was a white horse. The owner need not come forth on that one at that time. We come down that highway at night two nights a week and sometimes more. I have had a deer standing on the center line just staring at me. One night a grocery buggy came from around an eighteen wheeler straight toward us but it did not hit us. We figured someone thought they would be cute and put it out in the road.I have hit a dog on 29 before because he was running down the middle of my lane and a car beside me. It was night I could not avoid hitting it. A lady caused me to go off the road she was trying not to hit a dog and my son was in the car with me. I was headed toward on coming traffic trying not to ram her. I stopped she was shaking when I went to see if she was ok. I told her hit the dog next time because she may could have killed us that day. You can get another dog but a family can never get that love one back while here on earth. Some of you may not like that but my loves ones would have been broken hearted if we had died that day. We lost our baby sister at Barrineau Park crossroads .It is hard to avoid things that are in the road sometimes. My Aunt came down that HWY one night and four drunks were sitting in the middle of Hwy 29 and Barrineau Park Rd with their lights off and she T boned them. I will pray for the family that almost hit that horse and their 4 year old son. I am sure the owner of the horse is very sad about this . We all need to be careful what you say because it could be us someday.I am so sorry that someone loss their Husband ,Father, Son,Grandfather,Uncle ,Cousin,Nephew close friend and neighbor. May the Lord give you peace during this season in your life.
Good morning Mr Broel, I am refering to restricting live stock within X distance from
hwy 29. Perhaps a fence certification requirment and 50 MPH speed limit.
I am pro livestock and am sure the owner has tried to conatin their stock. This was just a tragic 1 in a million thing. The sad fact is the hwy 29 corridor is not as rural in
parts, as it once was.
I cannot believe the dead horse was still in the median at 6:15 this morning…..hours and hours after this horrific accident. Some Escambia County agency dropped the ball. Typical of this County.
Very sad – but don’t you think they could have removed the mangled horse out of the median?!?! That was awful – prayers going out for all involved.
just a reminder to those ready to blame the owner of the horse…..Florida protects livestock owners from things such as this, as long as the owner was not neglegent. Ie- leaving a gate wide open or not tending to a KNOWN broken fence… this is because if you have livestock and you are gone, what if a tree falls on one of your fences and the animals get out and cause a wreck? Is it the owners fault? No. My prayers go out to the people in this accident. But before posting on here keep in mind what you are saying and really think about it.. this was a freak accident… a tragic freak accident… everyone is trying to point fingers and put blame on someone. Truth is the horse could have got it in his mind to jump the fence keeping him in. Don’t go attacking the horse owner. Also keep in mind this horse could have been at a facility being boarded by the owner. So the owner may not have anything to do with it. The horse could belong to a sweet little girl who is going to go to school today and go to the barn where her horse lives after school only to find out her friend is gone…. give prayers… don’t point blame. Nobody will know what really happened
Mrs. Debra, I am praying for u love.
To the poster 429SCJ, rezoning 29? What do you mean by that? The speed limit is 65 miles per hour. Are you saying you want the speed limit lowered in rural livestock areas of highway 29?
As an equine cruelty investigator, I have worked many cases in which horses were getting out because they were hungry or thirsty and/or the fencing was inadequate. We have seized horses that were regularly running up and down Hwy. 29 and other major highways. It is amazing to me that they survived. I pray this horse was not out due to neglect. According to FL. statute, every owner of livestock who intentionally, willfully, carelessly or negligently permits such livestock to run at large or stray upon the public roads shall be liable in damages for all injury and property damage. In addition, we are very fortunate to have a livestock officer contracted by the sheriffs office who will not return an animal picked up roaming at large to the owner until the fencing is repaired. I pray this animal got out through no fault of the owner. But whatever the reason, it is too late for this poor man. I pray for his family and all who were involved.
BTW I am a horse owner. The last comment was mine 6:49 am
just a reminder to those ready to blame the owner of the horse…..Florida protects livestock owners from things such as this, as long as the owner was not neglegent. Ie- leaving a gate wide open or not tending to a KNOWN broken fence… this is because if you have livestock and you are gone, what if a tree falls on one of your fences and the animals get out and cause a wreck? Is it the owners fault? No. My prayers go out to the people in this accident. But before posting on here keep in mind what you are saying and really think about it.. this was a freak accident… a tragic freak accident… everyone is trying to point fingers and put blame on someone. Truth is the horse could have got it in his mind to jump the fence keeping him in. Don’t go attacking the horse owner. Also keep in mind this horse could have been at a facility being boarded by the owner. So the owner may not have anything to do with it. The horse could belong to a sweet little girl who is going to go to school today and go to the barn where her horse lives after school only to find out her friend is gone…. give prayers… don’t point blame. Nobody will know what really happened …
Yes very sad and tragic accident… however hoe ignorant for those to blame the horse owner… u dont know circumstances that may had lead to the horse getting loose..cantonment molino area is the country .. from time to.time livestock escape or get loose that is inevitable…garuntee any livestock owner at some point or another will have animals loose… thats just part of it..accidents happen unfortunate they may be..but to blame the livestock owner for this mans death or ur scary accident …shame on u. everyone of us take a chance each and everyday drivinga vehicle..and from time to time a freak.accident such as this may occur..that is life.. pray to.
It may be time to consider rezoning on the hwy 29 corridor.
Prayers for Mr Cobb’s family
it is clear that most of the commenters have never owned livestock. you can do every thing to control them and sometimes they still get out. i have been out in the middle of the night puting mine back in before. horses especially. they have what is referred to as a flight sydrome. beliive it or not, what scared mine the most, was when a deer got into yhe pen. i was also constantly rebuilding fences that deer knocked down. i don’t have horses any more. god bless all involved.
This is so tragic. Someone’s life ended because of a freak accident. What gets me though is that do many people are throwing blame at the horse owner. Yes, it was somewhat their fault but how many of you have actually owned a horse before? I have 8. They do crazy things sometimes. Regardless of how tame or calm they may be, they can and WILL run through a fence or jump the fence or open a gate and take off. It’s a 1500 lb animal and if it decides to go somewhere else then it will do what ever it takes to get there. While some blame is on the horse owner, please don’t assume that the horse owner is some ignorant moron who has no regard for other people, and remember that person has lost something very dear to them as well. Yes I know it’s not a human life, but animals are very near and dear to some people and are just like another child to them. Prayers for all families involved as well as the horse owner.
Prayers go to the family. Though living right where this happened and seeing the accident my second thought after seeing the white sheet knowing someone passed was who does this horse belong to? That they failed big time on this one shame just shame. I pulled into my house and counted my horses to make sure I wasn’t the cause of this. You have a responsibility as a horse owner not a wild animal but a pet that the owner let down. Double check every gate that it’s locked and check your fences. I feel so bad for this family.
Everyday there is an accident on 29 molino area–every day!!!!!what is wrong with this picture I have seen people keep on driving no matter what’s going on around them accidents animals in the road no one cares people are just so into themselves and whatever they are doing or wherever they are going they will run over anything or anybody that gets in there way and keep on going that horse was probabaly running for awhile and very very scared and I guarantee you that people saw him but no one bothered to stop to try and get him off the road they just kept flying down the road around him and now someone is gone what is wrong with you people I live in cantonment hwy29 and just cannot believe the ignorance and stupidity of some drivers. No one cares about anyone else just drive fast & drive around any obstacle that gets in your way. Pitiful just pitifull people just do not care anymore just to get somewhere a few seconds sooner please people please slow down and care about others
I was in the red truck with my wife and son and this horse allmost flip our truck. My four year old son will never be the same. I would love to see the man who did this to us. You have change our life.
WOW, I am not aware of any ferral/wild cow or wild horse problems in this area? this is a owner control problem not a speed limit problem. hitting a horse or cow at any speed is not going to end well for eihter car or horse!
failure to contain livestock / animals causes another death!
this could have been avoided, it is so sad this man has died because of a loose animal
Praying for all involved. But lowering the speed limit doesn’t seem like the answer.. since someone else mentioned other animals being hit in this area. Perhaps the owner of the animals can take better care to not have them get out? These aren’t wild cows and mustangs breaking free..I assume.
Prayers, of course for the people involved, but my heart breaks for the horse, as well. I assume it was killed. Another precious life lost.
Prayed for all involved as I stood and watched from my driveway to the south. As a horse owner and driver I feel for all involved. How many more deaths will it take to get the DOT to lower the speed limit on US 29? It may have helped!! We are a rural, residential area, not an Interstate Hwy! Concerns over buses didnt get their attention. Why should this? Sympathy and prayers go out to all involved!
our family, in two separate vehicles, was coming thru there just prior to this happening. My heart dropped to my stomach as soon as i saw all the lights and lifeflight landing…then i realized that my family was just ahead and couldnt be involved. how thankful i was…and how very sad for the one who lost thier life and the injured. This should show everyone how quickly things can change no matter how careful you are. Always tell your family and friends you love them. You never know when it may be too late. Our thoughts are with those involved and the EMS, fire and police.
This is so tragic, we were in our vehicle headed home. We must have sat still for at least 30 minutes. I knew this was bad, as I have not seen so many emergency vehicles in one place at one time. Life flight and at least 2 ambulances left the scene. I pray for the families of all involved in this terrible wreck. The car that hit the horse ended up in the woods facing south across the northbound lane. So tragic someone lost their life due to a horse running loose. Prayers go out to all.
hope everyone is ok will be praying
Within the past year someone hit a cow infront of Fran’s Diner.
This is not the first time thats happen in the same spot! what a shame
Oh my goodness, we came through there right after it happened. You could tell it was serious by all the police and firefighters, praying for the family of the deceased and the families of the others.
This is so tragic! Praying for the other people involved. Thank you for updating us.