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Molino Man Killed In Highway 97 Crash With Semi
December 10, 2012
A Molino man was killed when he collided head-on with an 18-wheeler this morning in Molino.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 64-year old Rex A. Walz was traveling southbound on Highway 97 at Pilgrim Trail when his 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac crossed the center line into the northbound lane, directly into the path of an 18-wheeler driven by 58-year old Guster J. Chester of Brewton.
Walz’s pickup overturned one time before coming to rest off Highway 97. Walz, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Chester was not injured. Both vehicles involved in the accident were totaled.
Highway 97 was completely shut down in both directions for several hours by the accident.
The Molino and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the wreck.
Pictured: A wreck involving an 18-wheeler and a pickup truck closed Highway 97 in Molino for hours this morning. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
58 Responses to “Molino Man Killed In Highway 97 Crash With Semi”
Thanks to everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support. My Dad was a good man. He was kind, tolerant and open-minded. I am trying to be like him. We all should…
I have known Rex for close to 40 years and am shocked and saddened deeply by his loss. Many do not know, nor did Rex speak much about it, but Rex was an American hero who fought valiantly and heroically in the jungles of Vietnam as a young lieutenant of Infantry in the 1st Infantry Division. He was quiet and humble about his military service, but he was a fine officer and genuine patriot. Our hearts go out to Ruth and his children. See you on the other side my brother.
Rex was a good friend and a fine man. Our hearts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.
Prayers goes out to both families.
We are praying for the families and the trucker. May the Lord comfort all involved.
This is very sad for both families. Very sorry for the loss of this man. This was anACCIDENT. No one planned this. There shoul be no griping and blaming this and that. Accidents happen any where any time. It could happen to anyone of us YOU cannot predict the future. We are not guaranteed the next minute hour or day.
This was a tragic accident for all involved..Instead of everyone trying to put the blame on either party;why dont we just come together as a community and pray for all of those who”s lives are torn apart right now!!Thats what the families need..
A bad thing to happen, prayers for all whose lives were touched by this tragedy.
@ The Preacher’s Wife…The article states…The Florida Highway Patrol said 64-year old Rex A. Walz was traveling southbound on Highway 97 at Pilgrim Trail when his 2002 Ford Explorer Sport Trac crossed the center line into the northbound lane, directly into the path of an 18-wheeler driven by 58-year old Guster J. Chester of Brewton…patrolling more on this hwy would not have prevented this accident. Prayers to the families!
Rex was my Uncle. Everyone is taking this very hard. He was a gentle, loving, and all around great guy. I love you Pat, Chris, and Aunt Ruth. I wish I could be there in person for you. You are missed Uncle Rex. I wish I could talk to you one more time. And I also wish everyone could stop arguing about who was speeding and just offer your support, prayers, and love. Thank you.
First off I want to express my sorrow for the loss of Mr. Walz. From what I understand he was an exceptional man and was loved and will be missed by many. However I want to say that just because this horrific accident happened, doesn’t mean that one party, or both, we’re being wreckless or going above the speed limit. Sometimes things that happen that are beyond our control or beyond our comprehension and all we can do is look to our Lord and know that all things happen for the greater purpose of His will. All of our thoughts and prayers go to the Walz family during this Christmas season and I pray for all those affected by this tragedy.
My husband also travels this road almost every day. I am so thankful he was not on it today. He usually would be passing Pilgrim about the time of the accident. With all the traveling we do on that road, it’s a rare thing to see an officer on the road. Sure wish those in charge would have this road patrolled and perhaps do away with some of these accidents.
I don’t know what happened in this case, but we all know aside from this, there are MANY drivers who exceed the speed limit and take unnecessary risks on Hwy 97
We are praying for these two families that God will give them the comfort they need at this time.
Prayers for all
Words escape me on this. Uncle Rex was a GREAT man, he was caring and will be missed . Prayers go out to the family in Fla as well Va. love to you all God Bless. we will be praying for everybody.
From the description in the article, this head on collision seems to have occurred when the pickup entered the semi’s lane. Unless the driver swerved for some other reason (drunk, asleep, heart seizure, or just going too fast and lost control), it appears that the pickup driver may just have been attempting to legally pass another slower vehicle or vehicles in its own lane. That move isn’t necessarily wrong and it’s a common and necessary maneuver since there sure are a lot of slow pokes out there sometimes. But it’s a tricky move especially so in foggy rainy weather like this morning and certainly not if you misjudge the amount of time it will take you to rev up and pass 1 or more cars before reentering your own lane. Worse still if you are going uphill or if there’s a turn in the road ahead blocking your view. What I still don’t understand though is why no seat belts? No matter who’s fault it was that fact makes no sense at all. Seat belts don’t guarantee you will survive a head on of course but it’s one more layer of protection for good measure. Yes they are uncomfortable but I’m sure that is a small price to pay – and it’s too late now for some. This isn’t the first Highway 97 accident where drivers were not wearing seat belts, including one a few years ago where a small child was involved as many of you know. What happened to “Buckle up, it’s the law!”
My husband is working in FL right now and has to drive this road everyday to and from work. He came up on the accident right after it happened. He and his crew tried talking to Mr Walz & prayed for him while waiting on emergency crews to get there…he has been upset about this all day. This is such a tragedy! This road is very dangerous! Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family & friends of both people that were involved. We are so sorry for your loss.
My prayers goes out to both families. It is so sad to loose someone like this and especially around the Holidays. Hwy 97 is a very bad Road to have to travel on, I did it for 3 years. But no one knows what really happen except for the 2 that was involved so lets just leave it like that, quit condeming the semi driver and the other truckers. God Bless both families.
This is a tragic loss to the people that were oh so close to him. Rex was always a kind and generous neighbor. He had such a personable personality, was so kind hearted, and always supported people. He loved his family truly. Our hearts and prayers go out to you Ruth, Chris, and Patrick. We are so sorry that this has happened. Y’all know you have people right next door that are right behind you and are here for you.
- The Godwin’s
I’m so sorry to both families involved. Words can’t express how sad I am for these families. I would also like to say to Srudd that I drive a semi down 97 every morning. I was not more than 5 minutes ahead of the accident. I met the chip truck just before it happened. He wasn’t speeding, and neither was I. You can’t tell by the sound of a semi how fast they are running. I get passed my cars and pickup trucks from the time I leave in the morning above Frisco City, till I get to highway 29 at least 20 times. Last week a car passed the car behind me, me and barely got in between me and the car in front of me before they almost hit a oncoming semi on a hill in a corner on a double yellow line. And the car in front of me had just pulled out in front of me. So untill you know what goes on out here and what we deal with, and what we have to do to keep from running over these people that don’t use good judgement or just don’t care about anyone else, maybe you should just keep your thoughts to your self. I have driven a semi for over 23 years, longer than you have been trying to figure out how fast they are driving, and I havn’t ( Thanks to my Lord) caused a accident. I pray every morning when I leave for another safe trip. Anyone that drives a semi knows that when we drive, we are driving for everyone out there. Or at least that’s how I see it.
sorry for ur loss…thats a dangerous road and truckers needs to slow it down a little. not sayin its the truckers fought by any means but theyve came by me and like to blew me off tha road….once again im so sorry for ur loss. may god be with each of u
I’ll miss you, Dad…
To CW..please knock on wood because with an attitude like that, your day is sure to come. Speed limits are there for a reason. Sure I’m guilty of going over the speed limit at times but I don’t make a habit of it. I not only pray for the families of Mr. Walz and the semi truck driver but my prayers will include you as well. God Bless.
I learned of the wreck wen A friend of our family Jeff Godfrey contacted me to make sure we were all ok because of the location. I was in jury duty when they came out and said there were still people in the north end of the county that were going to be late. So sorry to hear who it was and we will certainly be praying for the family during this time.
Ruth, Christopher, and Patrick, I am so sorry about your husband and dad. I know what is to lose someone very close to you. Remember the good times. Do not dwell on the bad times. I know it is easier say than done. Just remember one day you will see your husband and dad again. He is with our Lord and savior plus others who have gone before us. Love you.
Yes, I do always wear my seatbelt. The fact is the majority of folks drive about 60-65 in hwy 97, if you drive 55 you’re just turning yourself into an obstacle with a line of people behind you waiting to pass. I do slow down to 55 going through Dogwood Park, but when I get north of there it’s back up to 65.
@CW:
Past results do not gurantee future outcomes.
Nobody else is going to obey the law so if I do I’ll just cause a wreck.
I’d guess you don’t wear a seat belt either.
Good job.
Mr. Rex was an amazing man – love and prayers to his family.
I heard about this early this a.m… went to school with the sons of this guy…so sorry for your family’s sudden loss. I have often hated driving in this area…
My thoughts and prayers to the Walz family. Speechless.
So sad.
Please be careful.
Peace be with all involved at this time.
It only takes a SECOND for something like this to happen.
prayers to the family
Our prayers are certainly with all involved, especially Mrs Walz and her family. Atmore Highway is a very dangerous road. People exceed the speed limit and pass on double lines all of the time. Please be careful. My thanks to the patrolmen and deputies who patrol this very dangerous road.
My husband drives hwy97 to and from International paper every day. He was just ahead of the accident this morning. It is a dangerous road and I always worry that something like this would happen. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families involved in this tragedy.
Mr. Walz was a good man. He will be missed. Prayers for his family as well as the driver of the other vehicle.
SLOW DOWN PEOPLE.
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS .
PRAYERS TO ALL INVOLVED.
I know nobody’s listening, but I will say it again:
At no point is the speed limit on US-97 greater than 55 miles per hour.
There is a reason for that. It is not possible to drive safely above that speed.
Quite often the speed limit is below that.
I have no idea whether that was a factor here or not, but please decide now not to kill others just so you can go a bit faster. Ask yourself if it is worth it.
David for guarding the lives of others
as you wish they would be careful of yours
My condolences to the family members who are going thru this horrific time! There are no words that can console you but i pray that god wraps you with warmth and acceptance to your loss! i volunteer for an non profit organization that helps people with burial and financial needs for the family members that are going thru this time of uncertainty! i would love to give you this information as they once gave it to me! you are not alone there is a lot of help out there that we do not know about! contact me at maggie_0117@yahoo.com may god be with you and all your family members!
So sad this had to happen at all, much less this time of year. Prayers go out to everyone involved, incleding the EMTs, and LEOs. It has to be very hard to come to an accident like this one.
Prayers for the family,…..
All my prayers goes out to the family.
I just learned of the accident and offer my sincere condolences to the family. My prayers are for the family at this time. I am in TN on a mission trip and we live on Pilgrim Trail. My son sent your article
Prayers for the family from all of us.
This is so sad. I did not know anyone involved, but I do know there are and will be many who will suffer in the aftermath of this accident. Prayers for all the victims of this tragedy are important. Keep all the families involved in your thoughts and do not rush to judgement about fault. Sometimes an accident is a pure and simple accident. I hope both the semi-driver and the family of the deceased have a strong network of friends and family who will support them during the very difficult days to come.
soooo sorry to hear this praying for everybody…including our awesome police and fire dept…for takin care of this bad wreck…hate to hear it at christmas time especially…
@ SRUDD : Agreed, it seems like the loggers and chippers are in the news a lot. This appears to have been a head on as it was not at an intersection.
I don’t recall hearing about so many head on collisions in my life. This makes about 25 that I’ve heard about this year. It makes me wonder what is causing this.
Prayers for the families involved, and thanks again William for having journalistic integrity and tact. It’s a rare thing in the media.
Prayers go to the family, the police, and the emergency workers. Our thoughts and prayers go to the family, at this time. Sorry for you loss, specially at Christmas. Sorry words can’t do enough.
I pray for the family of the lost love one. I lost my wife the 21 of oct. in a tragic auto accident. Words can’t say enough.
So horrible this close to the holidays. My dad drives through there around that time and I was so scared it was him. Called my mom and he’s at home thank God! Sending prayers to the families involved.
Lord my husband comes through there at that time I’m praying to here from him soon
I was on my deck drinking coffee this morning and heard the wreck happen. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the pickup truck driver.
I don’t know the details, but I have lived in Dogwood Park for over 20 years and semi drivers always drive way to fast through this community. At night and early morning they peak the hill heading toward Hwy 29 and they never let off the gas. I have no doubt at times they are doing at least 80mph through here.
I just saw the p/u truck from a distant and it is as bad as I’ve seen. There are several problems with this intersection. Northbound on 97 there is a very short area where people try to pass due to there not being a double line. Southbound there is a curb on 97 that tends to block the drivers view when they try to turn out of Pilgrim Tr. Add to this the speed and load factor on 18 wheelers south bound on 97 and it becomes a deadly mix. Not blaming the 18 wheeler or anyone for this wreck. The 18 wheeler drivers are pushed to run more loads due to most being paid by the load, maybe the trucking companies need to be more responsible. My sympathy goes out to both the family of the p/u trucks driver and the 18 wheelers driver.
so sorry to here this tragic news. Praying for both families. God bless you all.
Every day or so there’s a crash on 97, what gives ? My empathy goes out to the family especially at this time of the year.
Mike
I know the guy in the pick up & my heart goes out 2 his wife & kids. So sorry for ur loss.
William, I think it is very respectful for you to withhold pictures until the family is notified.
PNJ would NEVER have that much compassion nor would any of the news stations.
Praying for all involved and their families. God bless.
Prayers and thoughts are with the family of the pick up driver, driver of semi, and the emergency heros.