Dog Blamed For Fatal Cantonment Crash

January 14, 2013

A dog is being blamed after a van ran over and killed a Cantonment man in a driveway Monday morning.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 56-year old Iris Fortner was attempting to back into property near a residence on Desoto Road in Cantonment about 10:20 a.m. Passenger James. W Campbell, age 68 of Cantonment, had exited the passenger side of the 1995 Chevrolet van to open double metal gates at the residence. Fortner had also opened the driver’s door to look for Campbell and see what side of the double gate he was standing on.

While Fortner’s door was open, her large Boxer dog ran from their current address on Desoto Road and jumped into the driver’s compartment, resulting in the accelerator being depressed, the FHP report states. The van backed into the double metal gate and Campbell despite Fortner’s attempts to stop.

The van came to rest with Campbell trapped underneath. He was pronounced deceased on the scene by Escambia County paramedics. Fortner was taken to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.

The Florida Highway Patrol is continuing their investigation into the incident.

The Cantonment and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.

Comments

13 Responses to “Dog Blamed For Fatal Cantonment Crash”

  1. sara on January 18th, 2013 8:08 pm

    @anoldfriend he would be happy with what you have said he loved eagles and i knowbhe will be soaring high watching over all of us i will miss him so much

  2. daniel on January 17th, 2013 2:55 pm

    dear bo we will miss you. but heaven got a true blessing in you. prayin for the family

  3. Me on January 16th, 2013 1:58 pm

    @an old friend – Beautiful words! This world needs more of them.

  4. jt on January 15th, 2013 4:15 pm

    Prayers to the family

  5. vannahsa on January 15th, 2013 4:14 pm

    when I was younger, we had a dane puppy that picked on an older Aussie. One day, completely out of the blue, the aussie jumped up in the golf cart and sat on the gas pedal…and the Dane puppy happened to be in front of the golf cart and she got run right over. Fortunately she was fine, but it just shows that anything can happen by complete surprise and on accident.

    In all seriousness, I am praying for the family and their loss.

  6. Fishy on January 15th, 2013 3:16 pm

    Sounds REALY fishy to me.

  7. CW on January 15th, 2013 11:23 am

    How sad. The poor dog was probably just very happy to see them come home, hence jumping into the vehicle. My own little dog has injured herself before trying to get to me when I came home.

  8. Roll Tide on January 15th, 2013 7:35 am

    What a horrible accident. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.

  9. mnon on January 15th, 2013 3:36 am

    So sad, and a freak accident. I am praying for all involved and hope Mr. Fortner will be okay. I know it must be difficult for him on many levels.

  10. an old friend on January 14th, 2013 10:01 pm

    For those who don’t know James W. Campbell is better known in the area as BO
    Campbell. He has two brothers Charlie and Jim. They all lived in Cantonment. Bo graduated from Tate served in Vietnam. He has two children and four grandchildren.
    If you ever needed a friend he would be there.
    Thanks for the memories .
    GO SOAR WITH EAGLES MY FRIEND AND REST HIGH ON THAT MOUNTAIN!

  11. judy on January 14th, 2013 8:45 pm

    so sad..praying for this family

  12. farmhill resident on January 14th, 2013 8:29 pm

    May god be with the family. Such a terrible accident.

  13. mary on January 14th, 2013 8:19 pm

    Lord have mercy on her & see her through this.