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Atmore Woman Killed In Highway 29 Crash; Two Others Critically Injured
December 19, 2015
A three vehicle wreck Friday night in Cantonment claimed the life of an Atmore woman while critically injuring two other people.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 52-year old Debra Marlene Ahearn of Cantonment was traveling southbound in a 2006 Town and Country van on Highway 29 near Muscogee Road when she made a turn directly into the path of a northbound Chevrolet Tahoe driven by 56-year old John Edward Ryland of Atmore. The Tahoe was then struck by a northbound Chevrolet Cobalt driven by 21-year old Dontavious Rashwn Anderson of Cantonment.
A passenger in the Tahoe, 61-year old Barbara M. Ryland of Atmore, was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola where she was pronounced deceased shortly after the 6:11 pm. crash. The driver of the Tahoe, John Ryland, was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
Ahearn was transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition, while Anderson was taken to West Florida Hospital with minor injuries.
Barbara Ryland was not wearing a seat belt, according to a FHP report; everyone else involved in the crash was properly restrained.
Any charges in the crash are pending the outcome of a traffic homicide investigation, according to the FHP.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.
Comments
46 Responses to “Atmore Woman Killed In Highway 29 Crash; Two Others Critically Injured”
My thoughts, prayers and hugs go out to ALL the folks involved in this accident. Including the people who witness the accident and the first responders and the family members of the people involved. My Christmas wish is that they All fine peace after experienceing something so scary. Please remember this is a time for forgiveness and understanding so hug that person you may have not yesterday, for life is short. God bless you all.
Praying for the family!!
I love Mrs.ryland she was my 4th grade teacher, some teachers never really impact your life in school but Mrs.ryland did she was a special lady and this just goes to show you will never know when the good Lord will call you home.
To the McKay/Ryland family, we are so sorry for your loss. Praying for peace and comfort for you all.
I met Barbara 3 years ago at her mother’s home and we became the best of friends Barbara and her sisters treated my daughters and myself like we were family. My heart aches for Barbara, Johnny and family my prayers are with you I love you all so very much
John and Barbara were my best friends. I miss already miss her but know she has her place in Heaven. I will be there for John and he knows that. My prayers go out to all families involved in this tragic accident. May God give them Peace as they all deal with this tragic event.
Wow I am speechless this is so hard 2 believe she was an amazing person with a big heart. I remember when I was sitting with her mom, she came in from the store with a pare of Auburn pants she said Kenesha I bought these for u. She always had a smile, my prayers r with her Johnnie & all of her family may God give u all strength.
I had her in 4th grade like several others. She was a very caring teacher and she will be missed. Prayers to the family!
Johnny I’m really praying for you and I hope God can find you peace, I love you and my thoughts and prayers are with you!
God speed to you my friend!
she was my 5th grade teacher long ago @ byrneville. I just loved her and her love for us like we were her kids. one memory I had hiccups really bad and asked to go get drink of water and she let out a giggle and said let me hear them and lol they went away.theres alot of memories and she was a great teacher and she will be missed. prayers for her and her family and all involved. also prayers for the first responders and all who witnessed a tragic and sad accident. prayers for all!
To the McKay & Ryland family I am so sorry to hear about Barbara , I will keep Johnny & the rest of the family in my prayers , I know Iit may seam hard right now but keep your head up trust in the Lord because he never make mistakes love you all
Mrs. RYLAND WAS MY 5TH GRADE TEACHER MANY YEARS AGO! She was a very good teacher. Fun but we learned a lot with her. We all loved her.
I had Mrs Barbara back when I went to Byrneville. She was a great and caring teacher. She truly cared about her students. Great loss
In a small community like Byrneville the good teacher are well known and they stick around some for their whole teaching careers. Mrs. Ryland was one of those beloved teachers, friend, and co-worker. You will be miss Barbara. Love the Bolens
I am so deeply saddened for this precious family!!! Praying for His peace that passes all understanding. We loved that precious Barbara!!! Praying for John’s healing – love the McKay girls and family!!!
I’m so sooty to hear about Barbara and johnnie, I was in a vert tragic accident several yrs ago in cantonment and my dear friend and teacher Joann Collins lost her life also, I have grt memories of growing up with both of them, I was actually in their wedding we were that close. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, especially Barbara’s sisters, they are a grt close knit Christian family and I pray for their peace and guidance from God! Please know I will always cherish the grt memories we shared!
John Eric’s fourth grade teacher. Good lady. She kept up with him years later when he lay unconscious with West Nile. She kept caring for all. She WAS one of the better people I am for. Her death is our loss, all of us. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . David.for.the.blessing.of.comfort.to.those.who.mourn
I just want to say….thank you to Bobby Hughes for comforting that woman for the last hours of her life. She truly was loved and respected by her students and family. I’m so sorry for the family and everyone who lost such a beautiful person, mother,mentor and friend. God bless.
This breaks my heart. Mrs. Ryland was a wonderful lady!!!
My heart goes out to all that were involved and my God bring them peace and comfort at this time.
Mrs. Ryland was my 5th grade teacher and has been my daughter’s sub this year. She was a great teacher and sweet lady. Such a tragedy. Prayers for all involved.
Mrs.ryland use to sub for my grade school
Classes. She had thought my dad and she was always so nice to me. I can’t remember exactly all the times she subbed for my class but I know it was a lot. It devastated me when I had saw what had happened. Mrs.ryland influenced my life and made me who I am today. May the lord be with thier family And all of the families of the people in the car wreck. Its sad to see someone you grew up knowing is gone. My prayers will be with the families.
I was in the Byrneville 5th grade class
her 2nd year of teaching. She was a young,
beautiful and cool 1977 kind of teacher who
truly loved her students. Her life positively impacted
so many people. I am thankful to be one of those.
Peace to her family.
This is awful. As someone who traverses this path daily, along with the rest of my entire immediate and extended family, such news is quite unnerving. Please, folks…don’t multi-task while you’re driving. I’ve done it, we’ve all done it…but we have got to do better. Our driving test standards are too low, our licenses too cheap…we don’t value them or the incredible responsibility that driving a 1-3 ton piece of immensely powerful machinery, in opposing directions, commands. Prayers for these folks and God Bless during this Christmas Season.
I travel this road alot. Wow! Praying for all involved!!
Prayers to all the families involved. To lose a loved one is hard especially at the holidays
I’m so sorry Barbra, You are a Fantastic person Fantastic Teacher and all around one of the dearest friends I’ve ever had in my life. My condolences to all who new Barbra with her special personality, I’m so very sorry to hear of her loss.
I’m so to hear about what has happened to everyone, especially Barbra who was a close friend of mine that I’ve always cherished! She was a fantastic teacher and a fantastic person… I can only say this will be a terrible loss to her family and friends and former students. Barbra was a the kind of person who would go out if her way to help you. I’m so very sorry to hear this. She was a true friend.
The car’s involved were right in front of our vehicle. It is the worst accident we have ever witnessed and it happened SO FAST!!!!!!! Thank God for my husband’s quick reaction, and The Grace and Mercy of God that we were not in the middle of it. We Pray for God’s Peace and Presence to all involved.
Prayers go out to the families my brother called me on his way home from work(Walnut Hill FL).I pray for him and others who have to drive such a long distance to work every day.Take your time be safe and if you’re tired and anxious pull over and take amonent.That inner voice is the holy spirit guiding you.
This is so very sad. She was my fourth grade teacher many years ago. She was one of my favorite teachers growing up. She will be missed.
Tag, if you will reread the story, The cause of this accident is in the body of the story. She turned directly in to the path of a Chevy Tahoe. it had nothing to do with the road patterns. if you watch people in there car they are on there phones, talking ,texting. or there talking to people in there car. If your the driver, you have one job. operate your vehicle safely. and that is all.
My prayers for all the families involved. One final thing to add with what Fran said….Buckle Up! The only lose of life was the one that was not wearing a seat belt! Teachers should set a good example for their students.
Lord keep
This is so heartbreaking she was my 5th grade teacher and many of my family thru the years. She loved her students and we all loved her! She always kept in touch with her students thru the years and would remember everyone names. She will be greatly missed and I pray for her family.
How awful, prayers for the families.
Praying for healing, peace and comfort to those injured, the family of the one who lost life and those who witnessed and responded.
There seems to be a rash of deadly accidents on Hwy 29 in Cantonment lately. Someone really needs to study the reasons behind these and make some changes to the road pattern.
Mrs. Ryland was my 4th grade teacher. She was such a blessing to my life and so many others. She made a difference in so many kids lives. My heart is heavy for her family and I pray for all involved.
Just saw Johnny as he got off early to go to Pensacola. May God be with him
My heart hurts. Mrs Ryland was a very special lady. So, so very sad.
This is so tragic. Mrs. Ryland was my fourth grade teacher many years ago. She was a great teacher and role model. Praying for the family and recovery of her husband and others involved.
This happened right in front of us. Such a horrible crash. So sad to hear of a life lost.
I’m still shaking after witnessing this. My heart and prayers go out to the families. This is one of the most horrifying things I have ever seen in my life.
I’m devastated! I was one of the 1st on scene with Bobby Hughes helping people in the vehicles! It’s tragic one of them passed! Prayers go out to the families!
It was a horrible scene,as we were diverted to the nearest side street, SO SORRY, To all families involved”I will include you in my prayers!!!IT ACTUALLY STRUCK A CORD OF MY HEART..because it could be any of us..Please have a safe holiday,Don’t drink an drive y’all,no texting!!!!! Let’s attempt to do something for each other..