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One Seriously Injured When Semi Hits Peanut Combine
September 21, 2013
A Jay man was seriously injured when his tractor and peanut combine were hit by a semi truck and trailer Friday night.
Michael D. Hunter, 46, was on a 1967 John Deere tractor pulling a peanut combine traveling north on Highway 87 near Edna Lane. An approaching semi truck and trailer, driven by 70-year old Aloma B. Carlile of Pensacola, struck the combine about 8:35 p.m. and forced it into the rear of the tractor, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The impact caused Hunter to be ejected from the tractor and onto the roadway.
The tractor broke loose from the peanut combine and and the tractor traveled on its own power on the east shoulder of the road for three-quarters of mile before coming to stop in a nearby field.
Hunter was transported to Santa Rosa Medical Center with serious injures; Carlile received minor injuries and was also transported to SRMC.
The circumstances surrounding the accident are still under investigation, according to the FHP, and charges are pending.
Comments
25 Responses to “One Seriously Injured When Semi Hits Peanut Combine”
I live right there where the accident happened. it was pretty bad! thank God no one was killed! but people HAVE to be more careful there at that spot! there is a curve there – to me, a DANGEROUS curve, right there! people have GOT to start slowing down right there. i see people FLYING around that curve and it’s just not safe! my son will be driving on his own in a week (turning 16). and it watching people fly around that curve that scares me for him to be on the road! PLEASE PEOPLE, JUST BE MORE CAREFUL!!!
Hang in there Dexter, we’re pulling for you brother!
Dexter is my husband, I do know for sure he had flashers and they were functioning. He is a very particular maticulous person. Let me remind all it was an accident, this is why they r called such. Our lives r real this is all to real. I could have lost my best friend and the love of my life. We r a farm family this is how we survive don’t pass such quick uneducated judgements remember the next time u go to get food men & women like us put it food in your belly. Harvest doesn’t end many times at dark but goes on very long hours to get crops in. It was just that way Friday with a forecast of rain and dug peanuts to be lost Dexter was helping a fellow farmer get them in, remember this is what the Bible tells us to do. My son is very upset about the flasher issues because he put one of the flashers on in the center of the slow moving triangle which was surrounded by reflector tape. There were also flashers on the tractor going. I was going up the road and had to see my husband at the scene of the ACCIDENT it was no place he or I choose to be. He just wanted me to take him home. He celebrated his birthday last Sunday and that should have been his last but GOD yes God is able to keep he kept my husband and the driver truck, God is good. If u will please just pray for him, he nor I asked for this but here we r.
With all due respect to s presley, I cannot tell you the number of times I have had big rigs suddenly move over on me simply because they didn’t want to be stuck behind another big rig going slower than they were, only then to be behind the two big rigs riding side by side down the interstate for miles at 10-15 mph below the speed limit because the rig in front of me couldn’t muster up the speed to actually pass the “slower” rig. Apparently they don’t feel they have to slow down for anyone but it’s ok for them to slow down both lanes of traffic to gain a mile or two an hour over the other rig. As it relates to this story, I suppose it would have been too much to ask that the big rig actually slow down for a bit and follow the tractor until a safe opportunity presented itself to pass. This poor farmer, possibly, may not have good health insurance, if any at all. Since it was a rear-end collision, I think the truck driver ought to be held responsible, at the very least, for Mr. Hunter’s medical bills and whatever expenses he incurs to run his farm until he’s back on his feet. Lastly, I personally question the ability of a 70 year old driving a big rig, man or woman. Just my own opinion, everyone!
Sorry to hear of Dexter’s accident! Our prayers and best wishes for him and family.
@M… YES HE HAD HIS SAFETY FLASHERS ON, MULTIPLE PLEASE HAD SEEN THE FLASHERS ONE OF THE WITNESSES TO THE ACCIDENT HAD STATED THEY HAD SEEN THE FLASHERS FROM BEHIND THE BIG RIG THAT HIT DEXTER!!!. NOW IF OTHER FOLKS SAW HIM AND HIS LIGHTS WHY NOT THE WOMAN DRIVEING THE BIG RIG? I KNOW WE ALL NEED TO ADHERE TO SAFETY STANDARDS BUT AS A BIG RIG DRIVER SHE IS HELD TO A HIGHER SAFETY STANDARD THAN MOST, I DROVE A BUS FOR A WHILE AND I KNOW THE SAFETY SYSTEM FOR WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OPERATE BY AND SHE WAS NOT ADHERING TO THE SMITH DRIVING SYSTEM .( PEOPLE WHO DRIVER BIG RIGS OR BUSES WILL KNOW THIS SYSTEM). SHE IS AT FAULT AND I HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL HOLD HER REPONSIBLE. I HATE THIS HAPPEN TO ANYONE BUT SOMEONE AS NICE AND SWEET AS DEXTER TRYING TO MAKE AN HONEST LIVING AND THIS LADY OBVIOUSLY NOT PAYING ATTENTION.. JUST SAD.. WELL THAT HELPED MY BLOOD PRESSURE SOME .
Before jumping to conclusions and condemming the truck driver, here are some questions I have .
1. Did this happen after dark? If so did the combine have any DOT reflective tape on the rear, which can be easily seen for more than a half mile in the dark?
2. I know wide loads cannot be on the roads after dark, what about slow moving unmarked equipment?
3. I have lived in this area many years, and have personally seen non-marked farm equipment on the roads after dark. I have even seen a combine with a 6-row corn header coming across the old Escambia river bridges BEFORE sunup!
(Resulting in an accident)
4. High visibility tape and reflectors on the back of all farm equipment, (i.e. wagons, pickers, combines & tractors) ought to be required by law,( if not already), and strictly enforced. Who knows, the life that’s saved might be the farmers own.
This is a terrible tragedy, and my prayers go out to this farmer and his family. But I do disagree with the comments here that seem almost eager to blame the truck driver. The obvious questions I would want answers to before I would pass judgement on this truck driver are; It was at night, did the combine have adequate lights and warning devices? Again, considering twilight or darkness, shouldn’t farmers consider utilizing a well lit escort vehicle when it becomes necessary to move a piece of farm equipment under these conditions? The State requires all oversize loads to adhere to some basic safety rules, but give farm equipment a pass. I wouldn’t want to advocate making farm equipment adhere to the same rules that apply to other oversize loads, but some basic safety precautions should prevail.
This was an accident, one that could have been a lot worse, Thank the Lord that Mr. Hunters injuries were not any worse than what they are. Accidents happen, they can happen to any of us.
I’ve driven “big trucks” (retired now) , I’ve seen farm stuff on the hwy an get over or slow down when I see them (even in my car) to give them room – What is the problem he didn’t SEE the combine in front of him. Some people have the idea that the hwy belongs to them & you better not get in their way. I still get over or slow down when I see someone fixin’ a tire / a policeman on the shoulder / a wrecker driver or a fire/rescue truck > > LETS SHARE THE ROAD PEOPLE …
Prayers for this man…any time someone is hurt its a bad thing no matter who’s fault it is. I am just curious though is it legal for tractors to be out on highways at night like this? Just seems to me it would be more dangerous hauling equipment on a highway with a speed limit of 55 at night.
@ S Presley….Not all truck drivers fall into the category, but more than not. And it’s those who give the rest a bad wrap. Rather anyone wants to admit it or not, the truckers gets paid by the loads they haul. With that being said almost taking a life in order to hurry for the next load very well could be one of your family members or friends. Is that what it’s gonna take for you to slow down? I sincerely pray not. People fail to understand God will provide, just have a little faith. Prayers continue for a complete healing for Dexter and his family.
Dexter was moved to shh last night. Last I heard he is ok and broken up alot. I dont understand how inconsiderate the driver coukd be. Not q worried much about dexter but her own hide. I hope they make,her accountable for this. Everyone knows this time of year is picking time. Even complete idoits know this is a farming town. Im so happy dexter is alive it could have ended so badly, praying for Dexter and Bonnie. Again make the driver responsible for her crime please. These farmers feed america we need to take care of them.
I agree with Mr. Sheffield!! This time of the year farmers are going to be on the roads Alot. But without the farmers we have no food. I have so much respect for the farmers. And I appreciate all they do! Prayers are with Dexter and the family! We love yal!
It was Dexter and my boyfriend who were fined $1000 each! I agree that the FHP should patrol these highways more and help slow down the big rigs. God was definitely watching over Dexter!
Does anyone know how Dexter is doing?
I agree something should be done about speeding, but as the wife of a truck driver that is on hwy 4 and 97 daily, it is not all truck drivers. yes the farmers are in full swing now, that is why we are there daily. hauling that wheat, corn, beans, cotton, peanuts for those farmers. we have gotten behind farmers that are going slow and refuse to get over so we can pass safely, as well as 4 wheelers that cut us off not realizing our loads are often in excess of 80,000 pounds and cannot stop on a dime. it is not just the truck drivers that need to be ticketed. this is a horrible accident and i pray this man is alright and has a speedy recovery, but please do not bash all truck drivers as with all groups, we are not all bad drivers or uncaring people. we too are away from our homes and families for 5 or more days and nights every week, trying to make an honest living.
Prayers goes out to Dexter and his family. Will be a long recovery. From what we hear he has a broken back in 3 places several cracked ribs. And alot of road rash and goin to do another cat scan. . He is in Sacred Heart Hospital.
Thanks for all the thoughts & prayers. It looked very bad for a long time last night. He has 3 spinal fractures, 2 broken ribs, a concussion, busted head & severe road rash down his arms, back, stomach & legs. He’s in a lot of pain but if anyone knows Dexter, his sense of humor is still very much intact. Please continue to remember him & my mother in all your prayers, the road to recovery is going to be long & hard. Praise God for his mercy.
Something desperately needs to be done with the semi trucks coming through Hwy 4 and Hwy 87. I constantly witness them talking on their cell phones, not to mention flying up and down both highways like it’s nascar. Too many farmers are being hit because of the semi’s speeding. I pray that Dexter and his family holds this trucker and the company responsible and makes an example out of them. We need more FHP and county coverage out here late in the afternoon. Once their presence are made known and hefty tickets are given maybe they will get the picture. This is the time of the year that our farmers are out full force. If I remember correctly DOT didn’t have a problem writing a farmer a ticket some time ago and now we have “share the road” signs for the farmers. It’s time to give back to them for a change because this is how they make their living. Prayers for Dexter continue.
Dexter,you are in our thoughts and prayers.God bless you!
Prayers and thoughts for Dexter and his family
Dexter were praying. Stay strong. We love you buddy.
Prayers for Dexter!
I hope the farmer is okay. Please keep us updated, William. I know I’d appreciate it, with me being all the way here in Idaho and all.