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Six Injured In Hwy 97, Hwy 29 Crash In Molino
April 19, 2014
Six people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Friday night at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino.
Officials said 33-year old Erica Wright of Pensacola was attempting a left-hand turn in her Hyundai Elantra from northbound Highway 29 onto Highway 97 when she pulled into the path of a southbound Chrysler Town and Country van driven by 62-year old Linda Murray of Lillian, AL.
Wright was not seriously injured in the crash. Three passengers in Wright’s vehicle — Bobby Ray Smith, 39; Mamie Smith, 53; and Lucy Driver, 53 — were critically injured and transported as “trauma alerts” to Pensacola hospitals.
Murray and a passenger were also critically injured and transported to Pensacola hospitals as “trauma alerts”. A dog in Murray’s van escaped serious injury.
Wright was cited for making an improper left turn.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway patrol.
The Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue, five Escambia County EMS units, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.
Escambia County and the Florida Department of Transportation are currently working on redesigning the Highway 29, Highway 97 and nearby Crabtree Church Road intersections and to install a red light. For more information, click here for an earlier NorthEscambia.com story.
NorthEscambia.com photos.
Comments
53 Responses to “Six Injured In Hwy 97, Hwy 29 Crash In Molino”
Their Is a ball park Just down the road. A light is the wright thing to do. Before KIDDS DIE.
A traffic light will at least tell people when to go and when to stop. Instead of the guessing game they play now at that intersection. Yes, there will always be people who just dont pay attention and run red lights – it happens at all red lights – do you propose we just do away with traffic lights completely, since people will run them regardless? No. that’s crazy. So why is putting in a traffic light at this intersection such an absurd idea?
I am still dealing with an over 2 yr. accident from there. Slowed for intersection lady was in blind site trying to make turn into front enterence of store. I. think that shall be closed off, (enterence), replaced with one lane merging exit only. Along with a red light, on some roads there are yellow caution warning to stop ahead, be alert.
Due to someone causing a wreck can place a person with medical bills that have no end, just because they didn’t see her. 18 wheelers are not to blame as much as people want them to be. I’ve been careful in my life and this intersection is where a change needs to be. Thank God I asked him not to take me that day.
Agree….N O NEED FOR RED LIGHT. What is needed is for people to pay attention. A red light will cause problems here….no one will want to pay attention to it either. Can you imagine sitting at the red light waiting for it to turn green, if you ar re on HWY 29 and there is no traffic coming on Hwy 97. People will continue to push through it, and the next item on this page will how the police are treating this as a trap for giving people a ticket.
JUST PAY ATTENTION TO HOW YOU ARE DRIVING.
“Slow down and pay attention” “not the intersections fault”
One question. If it’s the drivers not paying attention why isn’t there a wreck at North Barth and 29 once a month? Or hwy 164 and 29? Or Bogia and 29? Could it be that Hwy 97 and Hwy 29 is a slightly more dangerous intersection than most others?
Slow down & pay attention!! Not the intersections fault!
A red light won’t fix bad drivers or stupidity.
I have mentioned this several times about this intersection. When a driver is facing a stop sign or a flashing red light, they, hopefully, realize they are required to yield the right-of-way….turning in front of an oncoming vehicle requires the same mind set. However, nothing in the law gives the other driver the right-of-way, he or she is required to drive with due care, and many law suits have gone against the driver that merely blew his horn, and failed to take the last chance to avoid an accident.
That being said, when you have a crash at an intersection governed by a traffic light, and you do not have witnesses not involved in the crash, there is no way to know who failed to obey the law. Everybody has the green light. Facetiously saying, the person driving the fastest has the right-of-way.
Left turn from northbound 29 onto 97 hopefully, will only be allowed by a turn arrow. That will end that problem. This intersection is not like many others, in that the angle of intersection is not 90 degrees. It takes much longer to cross than normal, and is even worse from south bound 97 to southbound 29. Also, even though in this case, the turning vehicle is at fault, I’m sure a lot of these wrecks would have been avoided if the southbound vehicle was pay better attention. I believe a light, programmed properly, will fix this whole thing.
It will take months or years before many drivers get used to a red light being at that intersection instead of a blinking yellow, even if it is ever installed. Especially for those commuters who regularly travel Hwy 29 North and South bound. It could even offer a false sense of security for Hwy 97 traffic if they tend to rely heavily on the light instead of extra caution. It might make it easier to fix blame but I doubt it will do much for the accident rate. That section of 29 is almost like a stretch of West Texas Interstate in that many drivers are tempted to “let ‘er rip” thru there. Good luck slowing them all down. You’re going to have to put in some mandatory U-turns to negotiate a left from 29 or 97 in order to control the high speed bumper cars problem.
The same awful drivers who drive in the left lane at 45 mph and cant make a turn at an intersection are the problem. Also i have seen drivers with disabilites that prevent them from walking without help driving. Some folks just cant drive.
I try to avoid this intersection all together. People don’t have any respect for other drivers anymore. Accidents happen… Mistakes are made every day!!! BUT… It would be more safe…If we had a red light there. It would make people stop and let others go that have been setting and waiting for a long time. Its like playing dodge the cars. Just trying to Cross over hwy 29. If you don’t use this intersection every day, then you have no Idea!!!
@ AL – sure, the time of my commute is more important than everyones saftey! That is exactly the message I was trying to convey and I’m glad you were able to read between the lines. I think the issue is whether a red light is needed and I don’t think it is. But if you want to idiot proof every intersection – go right ahead. Accidents still happen every day at intersections with red lights because of people’s actions and distractions.
I’ll admit there a couple of times where I’ve had close calls when turning left onto hwy 97. Sometimes it seems like you’ve got plenty of time make your turn and get across, but the people coming southbound are going so fast they’re nearly on top of you before you know it. The people coming southbound don’t seem to understand what that flashing yellow light means.
Traffic lights help, but people still pull out in front of others. This exact accident will continue to happen even after the light is put in. Prayers to the people and families involved.
A lady pulls into the path of a clearly visible vehicle and we blame the intersection?
I love America and thank the Lord He so often protects from ourselves. After all, we certainly aren’t responsible for our personal driving decisions.
David for self-driving cars
Folks don’t get me wrong, if a light would save lives, I’m all for it. I just feel that a behavior and mindset change must come first. It’s not difficult, visibility is a 1/2 mile or more in all directions. Pay attention and slow down.
Maybe what we need is a driving class for this intersection. People do not know how to use the median. I dr
—-but even I could engineer a better plan for this intersection using the space that is available.. A red light is needed as well as other turn lanes etc.—something definitely needs doing but there will always be people blowing horns and being foolish behind those of us that are cautious. I say—let them blow! Don’t risk your life and that of others because someone is in a hurry!
Wow..your issue with time is more important than everyone’s safety @Daily? From Cantonment to Century there is no red lights and one is definitely needed there. Seems like your in a hurry to commute to and from through there, and that us exactly why one is needed.
Hope everyone recovers. Thanks to all involved in making a safe crossing, we have more people hurt!!!! Please get out of your plush office chairs & correct this problem, state officials, commiss, & all! This intersection is as screwed up as a chickensoup sandwich. ( & our gov.)
I’ll tell you what needs to be done get off the cell phones, people need to get their head out of there butt’s, and pay attention! If people would pat attention and quit being in such a hurry there would not be an issue!
>>It took five trauma alerts and another patient to discuss putting a light at this intersection?
It’s been discussed for years,and the county and FDOT started working on making it happena few months ago. We’ve published several stories, including one linked from the bottom of this story, about that process.
>>>Please remove the photo of a person being loaded into the ambulance. That is in very poor taste.
There is no photo where you see a person that’s being loaded into an ambulance. Perhaps you referring to the next to bottom photo? That’s a stretcher being taken out of an ambulance…there’s not a person on it. (There’s a medical bag in the middle of it.)
We pretty much don’t run photos that show victims.
Has anyone given a thought to moving the access to 97? It would entail purchasing property but the turn could be put maybe 500 feet north and access to 97 for north bound traffic would be there. Only South bound traffic would enter the intersection? Of course that would move the problem farther up 97 for the bone heads.
A red light is needed. I know people take chances at the intersection, but I believe they do it because they can’t get all the way across. At certain times of the day it is almost impossible to cross over both lanes. I know there is no excuse for careless driving, but a light would give everyone their turn in a reasonable amount of time.
They need more than a red light at this intersection. The whole intersection needs revamped. You have people going northbound turning into TT (possible accident). Southend bound getting into the turn lane for 97 then going past 97 into TT. (Possible accident). Westbound 97 crossing 29 going into TT (possible accident). The point I am getting at is this is a very confusing intersection even for people who are familiar with it. You have TOO much to have to look for over and above normal. The light for 29 needs a turn only light for all directions and no right turn on red. Crabtree Church Red needs to be moved either further west on 97 or further south on 29 (just an option) that way traffic won’t be as snarled right at the eastbound 97 and 29 intersection.
The speed limit must be 30-35 going thur that intersection not 55. There will still be wrecks at that speed because of inattention but at a slower speed less damage.
Please remove the photo of a person being loaded into the ambulance. That is in very poor taste.
red light wont hurt nothing at all ,
It took five trauma alerts and another patient to discuss putting a light at this intersection? ….praying for the families affected by this traumatic event.
I think the last thing needed is another red light. I drive through this intersection daily to and from work in Pensacola. There are already 50 red lights at almost every street that cause traffic on Hwy 29 to stop so that one (or sometimes none) car can pull out. This makes a 35 minute commute take almost an hour. The problem is that there is just so much more traffic on the road now than when they designed it. A red light is NOT the solution, people will just try to run it to keep from stopping another zillionth time!! The intersection needs to be redesigned to keep traffic moving safely.
And @ Mike K – FHP already sets up camp at the lodge in Cantonment, it needs to be renamed the FHP Lodge Substation.
Imagine this: The proposed Red light is green for both directions on Hwy 29, what prevents the same behavior from happening for northbound traffic turning onto Hwy 97 north or even left to Tom T. Safe drivers are victims of bonehead activity. If you can’t see a full size vehicle, I suppose a light hanging from a wire will be harder to see. This light will bring a major false sense of security to this situation. I’m not an advocate for the I Told Ya So Mentallity but if a Light goes up It will be a matter of time(sadly) before One must say I TOLD YA SO!!!
I am with “pls” ..there has never been a red light at this intersection. I will not doubt that it would help,but human error causes all the current wrecks there. The red light may slow down drivers at least.
Why do people have such trouble with this intersection? There are many more like it all over, that do not seem to have this problem.
Putting in a red light is not going to help anything.
Not sure a red light is the answer. The light south entering Cantonment has cars running the light consistently. If you are traveling south at the intersection of 95 and US 29…you best wait at the turn of the light, someone is going to run the light.
FHP needs to set up camp!!
First of all prayers to all involved. I grew up in Molino but don’t live there anymore. It has always been a bad intersection, however i do believe it has become worse since the Tom Thumb has been there. A lot more traffic going to Atmore to the Casino has also attracted more traffic. I don’t see where a red light is going to be a complet solution to the problem. I’m wondering if all options hav actually been weighed out as far as putting a over pass there with on & off ramps in different locations other than right there in front of one of the busiest nice convience stores around. Have they even discussed moving the Tom Thumb a couple miles either way. Lives are more important here & it’s time for the county to start looking out for everyone instead of blowing money on not so important things. I’m sure the Porch Creek might would even consider a so donation since it is a main acces to the casino from Pensacola. This is just a thought. Once again prayers to all involved in all vehicles.
The problem Is that drivers don’t pay attention. They look to the right see a vehicle coming up that slight hill and think they can make it across. They have no idea how fast a vehicles closing speed is and get in the middle of intersection and a wreck happens. The intersection is not the problem it’s the drivers plain and simple.
I agree that most of these accidents are due to not paying attention or thinking they can beat the other vehicle.I saw a horrific accident there a few years ago. I was sitting in the median and a pickup pulled out in front of an 18 wheeler. Needless to say, it didn’t end well. I have lived here all my life, 60+yrs, and I can never remember a red light being in that location. Apologies if I am wrong.
Praying for all who were involved in this accident. I literally try to avoid this intersection at all means possible due to this. There are many times that when I have had to cross this intersection as a shortcut to pace or go to the Tom Thumb that I have found myself nervous when crossing, not because I am an inadequete driver but because as I wait for a safe moment to cross or pull out into traffic people behind me start blowing their horn for me to go as they are in such a hurry to go themselves. I as a mother with or with traveling with my children will not just dart out to chance crossing. I have read many comments on north Escambia in the past that people feel there is not a need for a light, that people need to be cautious drivers but in reality there is a need because not everyone is and safety is a concern and is most important regardless of inconvenience and the having to wait on a light for your turn, it is needed. To many people are traveling in a hurry and not taking into consideration of others traveling on the roadways, we cannot control other drivers and the only way to attempt people and I force more caution is to place a light here.
Just slow down and take your time when making a movement with your vehicle thru this intersection…and pay attention
If memory serves me correctly there are plans under way to red-light that intersection. That should help, but, as Pineville wrote, drivers can help themselves a lot. Many people are poor judges of TIME – how long will it take “that” vehicle to get to me at its current rate of speed? If you aren’t POSITIVE, don’t try it.
A red light will help, though, because another big problem through there is speed. First, 55 is a high rate of speed for a major intersection like the 29 – 97 intersection. Secondly, many drivers don’t decrease the 10 miles an hour for that couple-mile stretch on 29. That ten-miles-an-hour can make a big difference in being able to avoid accidents.
There was to be a red light at that intersection. After this wreck, I expect it to happen. Many may think it won’t help but at this point, it’s time to try! My husband drives 97 and 29 five days going and coming from his office and has told me many times how he almost got in a wreck there. Let’s put the red light!
I have lived in this area most of my life. I have personally seen wrecks here too. I don’t see a trafic light helping. Most of the time it is the drivers not paying attention. I know also once they do put lights up here, it will be much worse before getting better. Praying for a better, simple solution.
According to DOT and Steven Barry there is supposed to be a light installed sometime this year. Contact his office and ask them when…put some pressure on them to do this soon before more people are hurt or killed.
They don’t need a red light there I have seen people take chances there. I hope everyone is going to be alright
Agree with Pinville PI. Some of the oldtimers may remember when they installed red lights there before. One crash had six fatalities. I don’t remember how many in the second one, but I think it was three. They realised they had made a mistake and switched it back to caution lights.
Pineville PI that intersection is terrible regardless of how people drive. The number of wrecks and deaths that have occurred there is rediculous, and with all the traffic going through there a red light is necessary. Guerentee you if they a light there the number of accidents will go down dramatically.
This is exactly why I have reservations about my child attending Molino Park next year and being in a vehicle (bus) with someone other than me driving. I’m afraid for someone to make a wrong choice at that intersection. I’ve seriously contemplated keeping him in private school. It’s not worth the risk.
Prayers go out to all involved, the article said Wright was sighted for making an improper left turn. It’s not the intersections fault for the accident, it’s the behavior of the drivers. I’m sure a Red Light is coming soon to try and correct this behavior issue, however it will not. It’’s a tricky intersection I agree but the fact is pulling into the path of oncoming vehicles is the problem. NO RED LIGHT NEEDED
When will someone, anyone count up the injured or dead…from this intersection. Is the number high enough now? We all need this to be a major red light. If you live in Molino, then you and your family go past this intersection daily or some residents twice a day. Please, please help make these cross roads safer!
Prayers for all involved.
They need a redlight there very bad.