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Man Dies After Being Hit By Santa Rosa Deputy’s Vehicle In Century
October 5, 2014
[Updated 8:15 a.m.] A Century man died early Sunday morning after being struck by a deputy’s vehicle in Century.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Deputy James L. Miller, 38, was traveling eastbound on East Highway 4 near Freedom Road in Century. He was driving a marked patrol car that was in emergency mode when the left front of his vehicle collided with an eastbound bicyclist in the center of the roadway “for unknown reasons”, according to the FHP.
The bicyclist, 26-year old Paul Martin Upton, was transported as a trauma alert by Escambia County EMS to the McDavid Station of Escambia Fire Rescue and transferred to LifeFlight. Due to the patient’s condition, he was then airlifted to Jay Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
Miller’s injuries were minor; he was not transported to the hospital.
Miller was responding to an emergency call in Jay at the time of the crash, troopers said. Any charges in the crash will depend on the outcome of an ongoing Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigation.
No information has been released as to why the Santa Rosa County deputy was in Escambia County prior to the crash. According to Deputy Rich Aloy, spokesperson for the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, his department is unable to provide any information on the accident because the FHP is the lead investigative agency.
Any additional details will be posted as they become available.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Comments
44 Responses to “Man Dies After Being Hit By Santa Rosa Deputy’s Vehicle In Century”
RIP my dear cousin. I miss your sweet face and kind heart. I love you to the bottom of my heart and miss you dearly. It’s been a little over a year, but I just don’t feel justice has been done in your favor. :’(
The biker’s life was not lost, it was taken. Lights and siren are not a license to run over someone.
“When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition or potential conflict, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, turn lane, or substandard-width lane, which makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge or within a bicycle lane. For the purposes of this subsection, a “substandard-width lane” is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.
(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.”
Exactly what is the ‘middle of the road’. Bike are allowed in the middle of the road (left most of left lane, and anywhere in the lanes when making a left turn. Officers must be responsible for their driving actions, like normal people.
ET I hope you have spoken to FHP about what you have heard. It’s a terrible shame what happened to this young man and under normal conditions I would agree with the many who are also expressing support of the deputy. I however, know this deputy and his family and they truely need a new and in depth psych eval on him. He has been suicidal more than one time recently and has been known to be abusive and racially inappropriate even though he has immediate family members who are of a race other than white. Now don’t get me wrong, it is not for me to judge him, that’s between him and his maker, I’m just saying something is afoul with his story and even hearsay has it that his own wife wants him to lie (about what I don’t know) and it is a terrible terrible tragedy that a young man lost his life and his family is left to suffer without him and everything should be done to provide justice if justice is needed.
Im very sad and my heart goes out to his grandmother and his family Paul was a good person and like ALL of us had his flaws but the point is a person life is lost and it was taken by a deputy I thought that is why they have camera’s in the cars and if he was going on a call shouldn’t it be recording regardless, we all make mistakes regardless when the Lord calls you it could be inside of a church when its your time its your time, now we lost a person in the community and im praying for the family John Im sorry for the loss of your brother and the grandmother who raised him Paul did suffer from a illness I seen him riding that bicycle the day before not in the middle of the road if it was it was to cross the street, Im sorry that the officer took a life of him but if he did make a mistake please own up to it get it off your concious, check with the monitors on the dashboard cameras. This bs about them being in a different county who cares its not like he was Atmore it was across the bridge this person is life is taken away and Im pretty positive the family doesnt have money for the burial and the deputy needs to talk about it and not keep it bottled up. I am praying for the best on the situation. God Bless.
Speculation is all I hear on here. The point is, the deputy is the operator of a motor vehicle. As an operator, YOU are responsible for what is in your lane of traffic regardless of who or what it is. Even if the lights were on doesn’t excuse the act. Having been an emergency responder myself, the fundamentals of operating an emergency vehicle were rooted in defensive driving. Even though you in ” emergency mode ” as some call it, you still have to have others yield the right of way to you.
I m Knew The young man that was killed ,and I do not believe the truth was told, Paul never road the Bike I gave him in the middle of the road, and if The cop would have had his siron mon Paul would have got out of his way, I would like to see this checked into. The Santa Rosa Police alls come to century, and when they head back they are speeding, I belive Paul was on the left side if the road, and The cop was travling so fast he out ran his head lights. There for that would cause him to hit Paul. Please if someone has anyway to check into this .Please do.Cops think they can speed late at night. and I feel the truth will come out. God Bless his Family.
My husband and I have known Paul for a number of years and were very sorry to hear of his death. We are praying for his family that God will help them mightily through this terrible ordeal.
REGARDLESS of where the deputy was in not what’s important. It doesn’t matter what county they are in as long as dispatch knows where they are. If you live up in the Jay area you will notice that MANY of the Escambia county deputies ALWAYS come up to Jay to eat.
Nonetheless, in an emergency situation the bicyclist should’ve left the middle of the road for his own safety, nor should he have lost his life. Prayers are with the families of both involved.
Deputy Miller is an fantastic deputy, and many need to realize that the North end of our county only has ONE deputy at all times unless there is something major going on. So before anyone wants to judge what the deputy was doing and why. Maybe flood Mr. Hall with your concerns and help get more than ONE officer in the North end. Take a moment to look at google earth and see how much of the county ONE officer has to cover on his/her patrol in a shift.
Deputy Miller our deepest sympathies are with you, as I know you are sincerely sorry for what has taken place. I pray that we all will see you back on the road very soon. May the Lord bring comfort and peace to both families and friends.
Whether the cyclist was in the middle of the road or not isn’t material. Bikes are vehicles, like cars, and may use the full lane when it’s appropriate to do so. The law says bikes must ride as close to the right of the roadway as is safe and practical, but the shoulders are often filled with glass and debris, making them unpassable. We just don’t know, based on this report, but being “in the middle of the road” doesn’t mean the cyclist was at fault.
What *would* be relevant — and I say this as an active cyclist — is knowing if the rider’s bike was equipped with lights and reflectors. These are legally required after dusk. I ride quite a bit at night, and I’m lit-up like a circus. Even though modern car headlights are pretty good, it’s only sensible to be properly marked and illuminated after dark.
To those who have mentioned they have to “avoid” cyclists on the road — yeah, you’re supposed to do this, as you would avoid another car. People on bikes have no desire to slow or annoy motorists. We’re just trying to get where we are going, like you. Please share the road, and we’ll do our part to operate legally and predictably.
The deputy was probably in Century Eating if I had to guess. There is nothing open in Jay early on a Sunday morning, so the Whataburger in Century is the closest thing.
Really, a life is gone and a life will be completely changed. most of us are concern about where the officer eats at. We have officers live in Escambia and work in Santa Rosa. we make these rude comments without sympathy. If you feel like any Law officer is abusing our tax dollars, have the guts to file a complaint with the city, county or state. This is not the time. I know you have your freedom of speech, Family and friends are grieving on both sides, but you wouldn’t understand the feeling unless it happened to one of your loved ones. Lets just pray for both families and let FHP or FDLE do their job.
What a deputy was doing in any county did not cause the wreck just by his mere location in such county
The issue is a man was killed by riding in or along the road.
No more than the man was riding in the deputys county would it be the fault of the man or deputy.
That’s why we have investigations to conclude the cause of the wreck. Not why the deputy was in another county.
What ever the department regulations are is separate from what caused the incident.
No LEO wants to hit a pedestrian and kill him or her.
No bike rider wants to be in or near the edge of a road and get killed.
What, and where the deputy eats whether it be under a oak tree or in his car or a burger joint did not cause the accident.
So much already judged here by all including censorship of opinion.
Prayers to all parties and grandma and mom..my heart to you.
I was fishing on Escambia River and I heard the impact then about 2 seconds the siren on the patrol car came on for about 2 seconds. I don’t know why he turns on the siren on after the fact.
Please get off the deputy’s back. It wasn’t like he was 3 county’s over. The man was just driving over the line to get something to eat. The article said the guy on the bike was riding down the center of the road. So most likely if the deputy had not hit him some other care most likely would have. Have a little compassion here. My prayers are to the family of man killed and also to the duputy involved.
I knew Paul and this was horrible. Knowing he was just right up the road from his home is so sad. I know this was an accident and I feel for the officer involved. There are a few things I don’t understand. Why was he driven by an ambulance to McDavid to be put on lifeflight and then sent to Jay Hospital? It would have taken about 5 minutes to take him to Jay Hospital by ambulance. Why was a Santa Rosa officer in Escambia County? If you are working the night shift and you know there’s not a place to eat in your county then you need to bring your lunch with you! This goes for any officer in any county!! Most people have to do that anyway. If he had been in his county he wouldn’t have to be in emergency mode and driving even faster than normal to get to his emergency. What if the call he was going to was a life or death call? Again I’m sorry for all involved and will pray for them. This officer will have to live with this for his entire life along with Paul’s family.
First of all I am not pointing fingers at the deputy nor the victim. Prayers are needed for both families involved. But on a different note me as an escambia county taxpayer am sick n tired of our deputies going to jay and flomaton. If I need 911 cause someone is banging in my window..I would much rather them be close as possible. You all know if someone is crashing in your window to steal or harm you or your kids every single second matters. If they need to eat..bring there lunch or snacks to there posts im sure they have refrigerators and microwaves.
I want to thank everyone who is sending prayers for Paul’s family. His mother is devastated she is with grandma who is having a very hard time with all if this. Paul had a lot if problems in life but if you asked for his help he was there. As far as him riding all over the road did you ever think gosh hope he is ok?? He has not been feeling well. But grandma needed him to go to the store. Grandma is wheel chair ridden.
Paul lived his niece very much and was always worried for her. She is 8 years old and does not understand why or who did it. Just that he is gone and needs prayers and support. Please pray for the officer I would not want all that to have in my mind to relive every time I closed my eyes.
Paul was not always the brightest but he was an amazing person. He was an awesome uncle and even concidered my little girl as his niece even though she is not his blood relative he was very sweet and will be missed by his family and friends very much rest in peace Paul we all love you very much!!!! Everyone that is talking trash about him need to be resepectful of the deceased as he would have been for you or for one of your loved ones
Paul came by my shop almost everyday he would help me around the shop and he would ask me to to work work on his bike. I also gave him the bike he was ridind Sunday morning he was a Good man
A lot of the comments are talking about him eating but the story says he was in emergency mode. Which one was it? Will we ever know? Look… there are positives and negatives in every situation. This is a tragedy no matter how you look at it. I’m praying for all involved, and all not involved.
We’re praying for Paul ‘ s family, friends and loved ones. As hard as this is for us to deal with, we have to understand one thing, God does not make mistakes. Paul was a good young man. He has finished his course and is now in the Lord’s hand.
Any Escambia County Deputies in Century: if you are at Kooter Browns and I am there, I will buy your meal!!
Haters gonna Hate!
Prayers for all involved.
I knew Paul he may not have been popular around the neighborhood to any one who knew him,he was mentally ill and was on and off medications during his desease .
Paul was a Freind to my wife’s son , he would give Paul rides to the store in order for Paul to run errands for his ailing Grandmother who seemed to be his only caretaker for his natural life…Paul’s Grandmother is in her nineties she is by her self now and may not have anyone to look after her now. Paul would go to the movies or watch wrestling with my wife’s son.
The Deputy involved has family too that worry every night whether he will come home safely back home to his loved ones when ever he goes on shift.
This was a freak accident that will be investigated I’m sure they’re wi be a toxicology report done on the deceased as well as the Deputy involved as part of the investigation to rule out contributory factors that are related ..
I can guarantee you one thing despite the outcome that Deputies life will never be the same again, it will probably be a long time before he even thinks about getting back to his job,I mean really in any situation what if it was you that struck and killed someone ? How would you be affected ? The Deputy is just as human as Paul was ,we all bleed red,we are one of the same when it comes down to the grief of loosing a life that was a senseless tragedy,and that’s all this was!!!
My heart goes out to Paul’s family,as well as the Deputy and his family as well ..
Maybe the community can get together and take turns looking out for Paul’s ailing grandmother who is vulnerable and lonely right now without anyone to do the simple things like shopping for her,taking out her garbage,cutting her lawn ..instead of criticizing get active in your community and make positive results that affect people’s lives for the good of humanity !
@firefighter
Well said, sir!
Terri, The Bible does NOT say there is an appointed time, just that death is appointed. You can delay that appointment by wise actions. Or not. The part about being ready is correct, though.
I live on Campbell road… Paul walks by our house daily or riding a bike.. I have almost hit him two times this past Friday due to him crossing the road on his bike he was going in front of cars and then going back across the road at old Flomaton road… so it could have been anyone driving that could have hit him.. lets put the blame where it belongs.. not on the officer..
Our prayers go up to our Father in Heaven for the families of both Mr. Martin and Mr. Miller.
As a responding firefighter to this call, it’s ashame that people of these communities can talk so much hatered about a deputy! Yes the deputy was out of his county just like every deputy in all the surrounding counties do at times due to there shift! The deputy come across the line to get him something to eat never has that been and issue or a law! A person lost his life and a deputy (who serves and protects all of you) will never forget what happen that night, IT WAS AND ACCIDENT AND ANYONE COULD HAVE HIT THE MAN! So before all of you go to judging and assuming stuff ( evaluate yourself) it could have been anybody!
Ok,
if the deputy was not in Escambia county, Mr. Upton would still be alive?!? Great logic!!
What was Mr.Upton doing riding in the middle of Hwy 4, in the dark, in an area where there were no street lights? Sounds like he wasnt following the basic rules of the road that everyone learns by the time they are 26 years of age.
MAYBE Mr. Upton would stil be alive, IF he wasnt in the middle of a dark busy highway on a bike,IF the deputy wasn’t in Escambia county, and IF the stars werent out…….. Mr. Upton would still be with us!!
IF if’s and but’s. If it wasnt a cop, it could have been anyone of the hundres of cars that travel that road every night/morning!
I live just off 4 east, and its a busy, busy road!!
@reader
All you can do is speculate!! there are numerous Santa Rosa Deputies that live in Escambia county..Could he have been traveling to work whe he recieved a call?Could he have been on an investigation that brought him to Escambia County to follow up on a lead?The typical basher has to throw out that he was eating in another county like Escambia deputies goes to a returant in Jay! Which, if you would have researched it, it is only 4 miles from the county line to resturaunt in Jay! a huge difference from your”15 miles from the county” statement!! 2.2 miles from Century to the tom thumb! Paul is known in century.He rode his bike without lights or reflectors. It was an accident, I dont blame anyone! Gods will!
The Bible says each man has an appointed time to die. It does not matter whether the LEO was from Escambia County or Timbuktu or whether the cyclist was weaving on the road or not. What matters is that we need to be ready to face death when it comes and how it comes.
praying peace for the families as they deal with this tragedy. I can promise you the deputy that hit the man is in emotional pain also.
>>>>>How are your posts relivant to the story at hand??? A life was lost and you are more “concerned” where deputies eat???
The posts about where they eat is relevant because the Santa Rosa deputy was in Escambia County when he hit and killed a man. Why was he in the wrong county? Some are speculating he was getting a meal at What-a-cow. The point is Santa Rosa deputies regularly go to Escambia County to eat, while Escambia deputies are often at the Tom Thumb in Flomaton or 15 miles away from the county at Kooter Brown’s in Jay. If the SR deputy had not been in Escambia COunty, Mr. Upton would be alive.
The Deputy from Santa Rosa County WAS NOT AT WHATABURGER!!!! I worked ALL Night!! When this happen the other officer from Escambia County had just parked and never got out because he was responding to the call!! He was the ONLY OFFICER there before or around that time!!! Why was he not in his jurisdiction?? I know this kid and have all of his life! They need Justice! The isn’t fair…Please pray for his Family!!!
I stop at the flomaton tom thumb every night(morning) while driving my route. I can say for certain that the escambia Deputies are not there everynight, all night.
Prayers for all involved!!
@concerned and chance:
How are your posts relivant to the story at hand??? A life was lost and you are more “concerned” where deputies eat???
A tragic accident happened, prayers for all involved. Thanks to all first responders(EMS, Fire Fighters, nad Law Enforcement) who put their lives on the line for strangers.
How can you compassionate people turn this tragedy in to a “rant” about where a deputies will take take their lunch break? I’m sure no one else will monitor where you eat or get a cup Of coffee!! Not a place for you narrow minded views or for you to spew your police hatred at the moment. an accident occurred where a man lost his life, and it could have been anyone of you that struck him, but it was a police officer so let’s criticize where he gets his food! Grow up people!! God bless The Deputy, Paul and their families!!!
I see this bike rider pretty regular on my way to and from work. I have had to dodge him on several occasions. i never could figure why he was out at pre dawn hours. im saddened for his family and pray for them. as far as the LEO from Santa Rosa goes, he was probly getting some lunch from the Whataburger, anybody who works shift knows that mid night is lunch time. like the other comments, the ESCO LEO’S are usally at the Tom Thumb @ the end of 113 in Flomaton in the am hours. I know the people who work in the tom thumb appreciate them being there. I have sat in Kooter Browns and seen ESCO LEO’S enjoying late evening snacks from there, i have often thought of buying their meal just to say thanks for risking your lives to protect ours. Prayers for all, and Yes! GOD doesn’t like ugly.
Our Prayers go out to Paul’s Mother ,Grand mother and the entire family during this time. No one knows the reasons and may never know. But He has Family and an Elderly Grand mother that Loved him, so keep your words kind on here!
My mother always said “God, don’t like ugly!!”
Chance— Thats is true about Escambia Florida cops in Flomaton at night just like they are in Jay at Kooter Browns during the day time!!!
The deputy probably came to whataburger to get something.to eat. That is the only pkace opened that late. As far as Mr Upton…Why was he riding in the middle of the road? I hate this happened but I hope this does not turn into one of those “Cops dobt care they just run over people” crap. My prayers are with the officer and Mr Upton family.
Prayers for the family of the deceased as well as the deputy involved.
That Santa Rosa Deputy was in Escambia County because he was going to Whatabuger in Century.
The reason they where in escambia co FL is the same reason escambia co fl sits over in flomaton at the gas station every night
I had just left jay hospital seen this guy walking passed him and a minute not even later seen the patrol car with his lights on speeding off 29 onto highway 4 in a rush to somewhere prayers for this young boys family and the officer of the car