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Prison Inmate From Escambia County Killed In Corrections Van Crash
July 13, 2013
A state prison inmate from Escambia County was killed when the Department of Corrections van he was riding in flipped into a ditch in Okaloosa County on the way to a scheduled work detail.
Lawrence Houze, 50, of Escambia County was killed in the crash. Houze was a minimum security inmate at the Okaloosa Work Camp in Crestview. He was scheduled for release in August 2014.
The driver of the van was a Department of Corrections officer and six inmates were on board. The officer and five remaining inmates were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center were they were treated and released. All were wearing their seat belts.
The crash occurred when the van was turning from P.J. Adams Road from Highway 85 and another unknown vehicle pulled in front of the van, causing the van to lose control and flip over into a ditch. The extent of the vehicle damage is unknown.
Comments
19 Responses to “Prison Inmate From Escambia County Killed In Corrections Van Crash”
May God give peace and comfort to the family that lost their loved and @Chuck that’s right first thing is to sue someone for an accident that wasn’t their fault huh, and to My2cents “money is the root of all evil” is not true its “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil” big difference.
First of all, my condolences to the family of the deceased and to all of those involved.
@ Knowa
Inmates who are work release have a VERY low level of custody. They are not required to be cuffed or leg restrained when every inmate in the vehicle are the same custody as them. WHICH in this case they would have all been the same level since they were a work squad.
A relative of mine was on the van. It rolled 3 times and on the first roll all the glass came out. Only the driver and the person sitting behind him had on seat belts. I am told by others who ride in these vans they are not required to wear seat belts and alot of times are not available. The deceased was sitting in the back and was thrown out and the van came to rest on him and he was crushed. Very sad.
I pray for the Houze family, and ask that god will ease your pain Iam sorry for your loss
My Prayers goes out to the loss of the inmate and to the D.O.C driver, May God give them Strength!
Many times there are no seat belts and the prisoners are often cuffed and in leg restrained The whole drug war is to blame i don’t really care if some one uses drugs as long as not impaired in public and a adult. Consenting Adults no victim some of these legal prescription drug are far more deadly. South American have been using coca leaves for century’s and I remember discussing with a researcher at Johns Hopkins that was complaining that he could not study forms of cocaine for diabetic cures because of its stigma. These are issue for health care professionals not law enforcement How many people die each year from Diabetes compared by those from Cocaine, no one has ever died from cannabis.
To Mr. Brewer, why sue fl, the article clearly stated someone pulled in front of them. Do you really think that officer really meant to flip that vehicle with him & those inmates in the vehicle?
REGARDING:
“why sue the Department of Corrections if the accident was not their fault? ”
You sue the ones with money. The Department of Corrections has the funding of millions of us Florida taxpayers to draw upon.
It isn’t right, but that’s the reason.
David for justice
You’re an idiot Chuck! Really? To sue somebody nowadays is the answer I guess!! Read Chuck read!!
He was a good man.and he was very well loved and respected we are really goin to miss him he was my moms husband and I really don’t know what to say we appreciate everyone’s condolences thank you all
I feel so sad for this mans family and love ones. He was probably getting close to being released if he was working in a program like this. The men are usually looking forward to returning to their homes after serving their time. I pray to day for his family and am so sorry for their loss.
This is no different than any other car accident. You lose someone in a wreck you sue. My heart and prayers go out for this victims family. No one understand the feeling of losing someone until you are in their shoes. Whoever is responsible should be held responsible. Smh
First and foremost, prayers to the family who lost a loved one, and to the driver who will have to live with this for the rest of their life. May the Lord bring comfort to all involved.
Second, I’m sure the family will do just that because money seems to be the answer for most these days. Sad, that money is the root of all evil!
Third, Chuck..I can see that your time on the other side of the fence just fueled your bitterness even more. We ALL make mistakes throughout life by choices WE chose to make, but that doesn’t make us bad people. At least if we learn from the mistakes we make. I will be praying for you!
Seems to me they said there was an oncoming unknown car that pulled in front of the D.O.C. Van. The family of the inmate are mourning his loss. Please show respect for them at a this time and compassion. This probably isn’t easy on his family and “all I hear is hate towards someone and I want money from someone” from some of these comments.
Why sue the doc? Is that going to make him return? I feel compassion for the family of the inmate but sue the DOC? Find the driver of the other vehicle and hold them accountable to the highest degree………… Not the doc’s fault
How ignorant for you to say you hope his family sues the FlDOC. Did you not read the article in which it States it was an oncoming vehicles fault. Just about right these days though, everybody wanting something for nothing.
Really!!??? I guess to sue someone is the answer to everything these days Chuck…Did you not see where it was an “ACCIDENT”… Im sure he was someones dad,brother,son,why not just pray for the family and their loss.
Simple minded people like you are the reason we have HIGH deductables for everything insurance wise, and some people cant hardly afford insurance due to the premium prices they charge because of people like you!!! WOW!
Chuck… why sue the Department of Corrections if the accident was not their fault? I guess that’s a dumb question – because they have money, of course we should sue anyone we can if we can get some money from them.
Accidents happen and I’m sorry for the loss this family has experienced but it doesn’t mean that it’s time to sue unless negligence was involved.
I hope his family sues the fldoc and whoever caused the wreck.