Two Die While Racing On Escambia Road

January 12, 2013

This story has been updated. Click here.

Two people died in a traffic accident early Saturday morning in Escambia County.

Witnesses told the Florida Highway Patrol that the driver of a 2000 Volkswagen Passat was racing the driver of an Acura on Blue Angel Parkway approaching Cerney Road. The driver of the Passat lost control and hit a tree.

The driver and the passenger — described by the FHP only as Hispanic males ages 32 and 21 — were pronounced deceased at the scene.

The late model Acura, metallic blue in color with aftermarket rims and exhaust, fled the scene driven by a white male.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 484-5000.

Comments

18 Responses to “Two Die While Racing On Escambia Road”

  1. LEO GUY on January 16th, 2013 10:48 am

    Stories like this these remind me of an old bumper sticker I used to see as a kid.

    “Drive like hell, you’ll get there.”

    Once again, SPEED KILLS. :-/

  2. garrett on January 16th, 2013 9:25 am

    b2 do you think racecar drivers are born wearing a racing suit saying i wanna go FAST its ingnorant people like you that call the cops at 10 at night to get the local race tracks shut down cause its too loud this is just an accident and it will happen again

  3. reader on January 14th, 2013 7:38 am

    I have read these comments about this incident. What bothers me is the fact that after reading an article about 2 people losing their lives, the first sentence in the first comment is “Why can’t we have a drag strip to race on? “, Really? Then the rest of you continue to feed from that comment. Doesn’t make much sense to me. If you are unhappy with something in this area, take the first step to change it and make a difference for the better. Don’t just talk about it, that won’t get it done. You can’t fix stupid. Those adults made a choice to race on the highway knowing what could possibly happen. Although I am saddened by the loss of life, It was no ones fault but their own. You can’t stop racing on the highway by offering race tracks. Shooting ranges isn’t stopping the killing from guns!!!! You can’t stop people from killing by taking away guns. Guns don’t kill, the finger that pulls the trigger does, vehicles don’t kill, the drivers do.

  4. 429SCJ on January 14th, 2013 6:46 am

    An interesting subject with much fact, conjecture, theories and opinions.

    Whoever is laying down the pairs of 14″wide, 100ft+ long tire burns on 99A be informed, the gauntlet is thrown.

    Prayers for the famalies of the deceased.

  5. northendbratt on January 13th, 2013 5:12 pm

    Thank you, David for always seeing the common sense of things!

  6. eeyore on January 13th, 2013 12:12 pm

    …ive expreienced several times over the course of a lifetime here that when these folks driving these “sup’d up” sedans and high horsepowered vehicles, do not like to be “passed” on these one-laned streets. i attempted to pass some of these folks busy on their phones or listening to music and maybe not noticing that they are going slower than the posted speed limit or just taking their time. for people like me, rushing for one reason or another daily, need to get from point a to b as quickly and safely as possible. i’ve had several encounters of these folks trying to “race” me once i get in the opposite lane to “pass” them and they block my passing by doing this…so this is the sort of mentality these “street-racers” have…and have resorted to my hands free phone to report them to the proper authorities…they are a danger to the public and danger to themselves…just like the local motorcycle riders…

  7. Ron C. on January 13th, 2013 9:50 am

    Having a local drag strip nearby is a great ideal but not the sole solution to the problem. We had a drag strip on the island of Oahu and we still had numerous racing fatalities. We even had a night for the public to race against off-duty police officers (they used their own privately owned vehicles for patrol cars there) in order to curb the traffic fatalities. Still many took the immediate opportunity to solve their road-rage or need for speed no matter where they were. You make the decision and you suffer the consequencies good or bad. It’s always sad when there is a loss of life involved and we really don’t realize how our split second thinking effects those we love after the fact. Maybe we need to stop and think before we put our foot to the floor. Hopefully, the person in the other vehicle will man up and turn themself in. Kharma will catch up to you eventually.

  8. David Huie Green on January 12th, 2013 6:54 pm

    Please explain how having a drag strip would have saved them.

  9. liberalol on January 12th, 2013 6:47 pm

    Condolences to the family. How many car wrecks must we have before they outlaw cars?! It wasn’t the drivers fault, it was the evil cars! We need action to either ban all cars or atleast their capacity!

  10. curious on January 12th, 2013 6:26 pm

    The passenger might have been innocent. I’m sure there are quiet a few people who have been in a car with someone that they said if i ever get out i won’t get back in. Just saying

  11. Terri Sanders on January 12th, 2013 3:51 pm

    In my opinion 32 and 21 years old are not kids.They were adults..old enough to drink..old enough to fight in a war..old enough to make adult decisions.But obviously not mature.My prayers go out to the families.We raise our children the best we know how.. and sometimes they just mess up with tragic consequences.

  12. Bill on January 12th, 2013 3:01 pm

    That Drag strip (holt/ Emerald Coast Drayway) is closed down..It needs many repairs.. The other ones are far away (atmore Dragway,and Mobile Dragway)… The racing scene has calmed down alot from a few years back though..It use to be BIG in ellison Ind. park… Im sorry for the loss,the family has to go through…

  13. catman on January 12th, 2013 11:23 am

    There is a drag strip off highway 90 on the santa rosa okaloosa county line. Turn south off 90 its right by I-10. Prayers for the family.

  14. another me on January 12th, 2013 11:00 am

    To the families or family of the victims: I’m so sorry for your loss. Raising kids is so hard these days with all they are exposed to. We try to give them the benefit of our learning but most have to learn on their on. So young – so sad.

    I’m sure the driver of the other car that fled the scene will be found. But he was just learning on his on too. I hope he has learned well.

  15. b2 on January 12th, 2013 9:45 am

    Says he lost control you can do that on a drag strip too ,need to leave racing to professional drivers not kids who think they are ..I’m .truly sorry for the family of these boys

  16. Adam on January 12th, 2013 9:44 am

    Fred, a drag strip would be nice, why don’t you open one. All of us has raced a little on the hwy. But most of us used a little common sense. Red light to red light. Usually when one pulled ahead, he was the winner and they shut it down. These guys are dead because of their own actions, nobody else’s. It’s just lucky no innocent people were killed.

  17. me on January 12th, 2013 9:36 am

    to fred,
    take the time to read the article again – it’s not that lengthy. It even states it in the headline. Two lives were lost in this tragedy…..

  18. fred on January 12th, 2013 9:21 am

    Why can’t we have a drag strip to race on? When I was a kid, i did a little street racing. I was extremely fortunate not to have caused or had an accident, but the risk was what stopped me from doing it more. I would loved to have a good track to race on. You used to be able to go over to Baker and race your car there, but I don’t even know if that track is still operating. We should have something right here in town so the tuners and hot rodders have a safe place to run their rides or their race cars.

    These boys were just doing what a lot of us have done, and now one is dead. Pray for him and his family.