Five Injured In Highway 29, I-10 Crash

March 24, 2014

Five people were seriously injured in a Sunday morning crash that tied up traffic from Highway 29 to I-10.

The Florida Highway Patrol said 37-year old Ashley E. Sticken of Cantonment was eastbound on the entrance ram to I-10 from southbound Highway 29 when he failed to negotiate the curve in his 1988 Toyota Tacoma. His vehicle began to spin, striking a 2014 Mazda driven by 58-year old Donald E. White of Bay Minette.

White and his passengers, 20-year old Tyler E. White, 25-year old Amy Jernigan, and 19-year old Whitney Roberts, all of Bay Minette, were transported to West Florida Hospital in serious condition.

Sticken was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition. He was cited by the FHP for careless driving for failure to maintain proper control.

Pictured: Traffic was tied up at on the southbound Highway 29 entrance ramp to I-10 Sunday morning after crash the FHP said was caused by a Cantonment woman. NorthEscambia.com reader photo by April Pawless, click to enlarge.

Comments

38 Responses to “Five Injured In Highway 29, I-10 Crash”

  1. Lana McNichol on March 26th, 2014 12:04 pm

    I understand your concerns about the ramp.. The main concerns right should be on ALL involved. Prayers for everyone right now. Lot of people in pain. I hate that ramp!

  2. mike on March 26th, 2014 7:53 am

    That ramp is awful & very dangerous when it’s wet Ive seen so many accidents on the ramp & where it merges with I- 10 for more than 7 years now & they have done nothing to correct the problem either , you have to speed up where it merges because people are so inconsiderate they don’t move to the right lane to allow cars to enter the interstate ..

  3. Bert on March 26th, 2014 12:39 am

    Try getting on right there in a loaded semi, it’s next to impossible. Or a loaded dump truck. Now they are talking about raising the speed limit on I-10.

  4. Craig on March 25th, 2014 2:51 pm

    I know Ashley Sticken personally just about my entire life he is an extremely safe driver my heart and prayers go out to everyone involved but this was simply an unavoidable accident due to oil slick being on the roadway it was even mentioned by people that witnessed the accident firsthand that there was no way Ashley Sticken could have avoided it I hope and pray for a speedy recovery for everyone involved

  5. Cathi on March 25th, 2014 2:27 pm

    If anyone knows Donald, please ask him to call C&R in Bay Minette and let us know how they are! I tried calling the number I have and its not in service anymore. Thanks!

  6. Lana McNichol on March 24th, 2014 11:54 pm

    This is an update I saw on FB from a family member regarding the condition of three of the four passengers in the vehicle that was struck by the truck. Tyler had 2 plates put in, pulled a wisdom tooth and they wired his jaw. Amy is still in picu and in lots if pain. They fitted her for a back brace so hopefully she can be moved into a room tomorrow. Whitney has a fracture on her sternum and another fracture on her breast bone. She is also in alot of pain, but if she can start moving about then dr said he’d release her tomorrow. No update on the other one. These folks will have a long road to recovery and will need daily for prayers for quite some time.

  7. Ann on March 24th, 2014 11:27 pm

    I know 2 of the passengers in the car that were hit by the man merging on from the ramp. Tyler broke his jaw in 2 places and Amy broke a vertebra in her back. They are both in serious condition.

  8. g on March 24th, 2014 9:53 pm

    I hope and pray that every person has a speedy recovery but for those of you commenting need to know the roads you travel. The interstate is a “state” road and it has nothing to do with the county. So contact your state representative. Some people want to point blame in the wrong direction.

  9. CC on March 24th, 2014 9:32 pm

    I was one car behind this terrible accident and there was nothing that driver could have done to correct his vehicle. I spoke directly with the state trooper who confirmed it was a mixture of the oil and recent rain that cause him to lose control. This was a horrible accident and I pray for all of those involved. That ramp is obviously not safe and never has been. People are so quick to point fingers without actually visualizing the circumstances. Thank you God for your protection of these people in what appeared to be a fatal accident!!

  10. Just my opinion on March 24th, 2014 8:04 pm

    This was a terrible accident and has nothing to do with the condition of the on ramp. The road/weather conditions that day was the problem. With that being said, I travel this route every single day on I10 heading East bound. The problem I see with it is people merging from South bound 29 having a sense of road ownership assuming the rest of us can give them room to merge. I agree there isn’t that much of a “merging lane”; however, you can’t assume that everyone else already on the road is going to think about you two miles before and get over on the off chance there may be traffic merging. It’s not a rule that you move over for merging traffic. It is a common courtesy that we should all be taught. When the speed limit changes from 70 to 55, I slow down and immediately get into the right hand lane because I know people will be attempting to merge. What I often see are people flying up on the left, then taking the merge lane THINKING IT’S A THIRD LANE and trying to pass people trying to merge. It’s not those of us that know this route causing the problems. It’s those that aren’t familiar. And, on another note, they are in the process of fixing these on and off ramps. That’s what the signs are for telling you there will be road work between 11pm and 6am. They are fixing one of them at a time.

  11. nay on March 24th, 2014 7:56 pm

    This is a horrible ramp and it would be safe if there were no drivers on it. But, the design does not follow the flow of traffic – merging into the left lane. Especially with that curve right before the ramp. The 55mph change is easily overlooked where it is posted. Even in perfect conditions the ramp is dangerous. There needs to be a change to make it safer for all drivers and the emergency services who respond to this area.

  12. casey P on March 24th, 2014 6:21 pm

    Worst on ramp EVER

  13. Sister on March 24th, 2014 5:13 pm

    I am the driver of the trucks sister. Ashley is a man. The media has it wrong. He was not speeding the road was wet and the state trooper said that there was oil on the road as well. I know several people that has been in accidents on that ramp because of the people going east are speeding. With all that said he has a bad head injury. His family is hoping for a speedy recovery!!!!!!

  14. Karen on March 24th, 2014 4:40 pm

    That ramp has been like that as long as I can remember and (I was born and raised here) when they were designed there was not the amount of traffic that we have today, people don’t pay attention to what they are doing when they drive now a days to many distractions people speed and run red lights all over this town, they are in such a hurry to get to the next red light, and just about everyone of them has a cell phone they are talking on.

  15. cathi on March 24th, 2014 4:15 pm

    Does anyone know how Donald and Tyler are? I know them and am very concerned.

  16. TLB on March 24th, 2014 3:33 pm

    I was two cars behind “Ashley” on the entrance ramp and witnessed the accident.
    It was a horrific sound. I use this ramp on a daily basis and concur with ALL the comments made about the poor design and especially the inconsiderate drivers on I-10 who totally ignore the posted speed limits. I wish all those involved a speedy recovery.

  17. Lashay Young on March 24th, 2014 1:30 pm

    I am absolutely TERRIFIED of this on ramp. No one does the required 55 mph when trying to merge onto the Interstate. I end up either not taking the interstate at all or getting on at a different location. I agree, I am very surprised there isn’t a hundred more accidents at this location. SMH.

    Praying for all involved.

  18. BT on March 24th, 2014 1:23 pm

    Yep, a short on ramp that merges into interstate traffic that may or may not have just decelerated from 70 to 55…traffic that is going up a hill and around a curve…with visibility impaired by terrain….with an upcoming exit ramp within a quarter mile. Must be a problem with DRIVERS!!!!!

    I’m one of the thousands of drivers who have gotten on the interstate there without an accident. That doesn’t mean it’s a good road design.

  19. Kim Vinson on March 24th, 2014 1:05 pm

    I agree with everyone else who commented on the danger of this ramp.I couldn’t believe it when I came I town and saw that. It is insanity to have it set up like that . Do something about it before someone is killed !!!
    Sincerely Kim Vinson

  20. Charlotte on March 24th, 2014 12:27 pm

    People People People, NO HIGHWAY, ROAD or any inanimate object CAUSES the problem. It’s the DRIVERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I use that ramp and as long as you know you are to merge and pay attention it’s ok. It’s when drivers speed, don’t look where they are going or have their attention on the Cell PHONES or TEXTING that cause problems. I am so glad the people are ok in this instance, but please don’t blame the ROAD. It’s like saying if a tree hadn’t been there the person would not have run into it DUH.

  21. Mike on March 24th, 2014 12:19 pm

    Leanne, those are state & federal roads, I may be wrong, but I don’t think the county has anything to do with the design. That said, I agree, a very poor design. Getting merged onto I-10 can be somewhat adventuresome.

    The story seems to say Ashley is a man, but the photo caption says woman, whats the deal?:)

  22. rob on March 24th, 2014 11:32 am

    It was bound to happen eventually. I can’t believe that the on-ramp design was approved to meet Interstate standards if it merges traffic into the fast lane.

    Some drivers around here can’t even get up to 70 MPH merging into the slow lane on a normal on-ramp, they try to get into 70MPH traffic at 45MPH, much less so in this poorly designed configuration.

  23. igpfish on March 24th, 2014 11:29 am

    Awful place to merge traffic. Like most of you have said, people DO NOT SLOW DOWN there. I think the state troopers that are so worried about people not going 45 on the Bayou Blvd exit need to be more worried about getting the people going 70+ near the 29 exit (after the posted 55 speed limit reduction) There are a lot of people who won’t even move over when they see cars coming in to merge there. MANY problems with this exit. Hope everyone is okay that was involved.

  24. GENE on March 24th, 2014 11:15 am

    This traffic slow merging onto fast lane traffic is ridiculous… It needs to be #1 priority to change and at least get the traffic away from the hill that south bound traffic are speeding over!

  25. paul on March 24th, 2014 10:00 am

    Thousands and thousands of cars take that route safely.. Through a careless driver in there and see what happens..

  26. Anastasia on March 24th, 2014 9:28 am

    I am very surprised, like other comments, that there haven’t been more serious accidents for this horribly designed on-ramp.

    I avoid entering this on-ramp doing exactly what 429SCJ says to do.

    To the people who design these ridiculous on-ramps, go back to the drawing board and keep in mind the number of people who will be traveling in the future and come back with a much safer way to transition from south-bound 29 to east-bound I-10 and leave your stupid brains at home.

  27. LEANNE on March 24th, 2014 8:53 am

    IM SURE GLAD ASHLEY IS OK!!! THIS IS A TERRIBLE PLACE TO GET ON THE INTERSTATE AND I GUESS OUR COUNTY WILL WAIT UNTIL THERE ARE MANY OTHERS HURT THERE BEFORE THEY WILL MAKE CHANGES, ITS JUST LIKE THE CURVE ON JACKS BRANCH ROAD!!! OUR ROAD DEPARTMENT IS JUST PLUM STUPID IF THEY DO NOT SEE THESE PROBLEMS, MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE OTHER FAMILY AS WELL

  28. Leanne on March 24th, 2014 8:41 am

    YEP!!! DANGEROUSE CURVE AND THEY WILL WAIT UNTIL TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HURT BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHIN ABOUT IT, JUST LIKE JACK’S BRANCH ROAD, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY OUR COUNTY IS SO STUPID WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLES LIVES!!!!
    IF YOU TAKE THAT CURVE YOU ALSO HAVE TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL REGARDLESS HOW CAUTIOUS YOU ARE!!!
    GLAD EVERYONE IS OK ESPECIALLY ASHLEY

  29. Scooby on March 24th, 2014 8:29 am

    I avoid this ramp whenever possible….especially during the daytime hours when everyone is rushing to and from work! I have been known to go out of my way and get on the interstate at the Pine Forest Road ramp or when I was living in Cantonment, I would take the Alt. 90 Entrance….anything is safer than that ramp coming off of Hwy 29….just too scary for me…and I’ve been driving for right around 25 years!

  30. Angela on March 24th, 2014 8:04 am

    I’m so thankful my brother in law is okay and i pray for the ones that were injured in the other vehicle. Unfortunately, Ashley started hydro-plaining due to water and oil on the road during the bad storm that passed through yesterday morning, that threw his vehicle into the path of traffic already headed east. Praying for everyone’s quick recovery.

  31. Carolyn Bramblett on March 24th, 2014 7:39 am

    I never use this ramp. Ever.

  32. 429SCJ on March 24th, 2014 7:27 am

    Amen Billy D.

    Best to go down and double back and then take the hwy 29 north bound lane to the I-10 east bound on ramp.

  33. nod on March 24th, 2014 7:05 am

    i agree with everyone else, this is a very dangerous intersection and the whole 29/I-10 should be completely redone with a brain.

  34. Mike on March 24th, 2014 6:44 am

    I agree this on ramp makes me nervous every time I get on there. The eastbound traffic on I-10 does not know there is merging traffic coming on; put a semi-truck in the far right hand lane and it just makes for a dangerous scenario. I tell my 16yr old to go down to 29/Airport to avoid this.

  35. KB on March 24th, 2014 6:42 am

    I don’t know why they haven’t closed that ramp. Traveling from Pineforest Rd east on I-10 the speed is 70, but drops to 55 just before Hwy 29. I ALWAYS slow to 55 and pull into the right lane. That causes everyone going 70+ who doesn’t notice the drop in speed to fly around you into the left lane. Plus they are usually upset at the “slow poke” so you add road rage to the situation. Then you come around a curve so you can’t see what’s ahead. Plus the on ramp is way too short. I’m shocked their are not more accidents and deaths. There should at least be more visible signs about the speed drop, and advise traffic to move to the right lane when possible.

  36. denbroc on March 24th, 2014 6:40 am

    Every time I use this ramp I’m nervous. I drive for a living and this is the only left entrance ramp in a curve with a right entrance ramp merging less that I encounter. A better way may be to have all the east bound I-10 traffic that wants to enter from 29 southbound go under I-10 and take a left onto the ramp that the NB 29 traffic uses to access I-10 eastbound.

  37. John on March 24th, 2014 6:36 am

    It wouldn’t be as bad if people would drive the 55 mph that is the posted speed limit.

  38. Billy D on March 24th, 2014 6:13 am

    Thats probably the most dangerous on-ramp in the area. Horrible visibilty and merging into traffic that’s running 70+ in the left lane. Suprised there aren’t more bad accudents there to be honest. Hope everyone is okay.