One Airlifted Following Two Vehicle Highway 29 Crash

January 2, 2016

One person was seriously injured in a two vehicle crash Saturday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 29 and Barrineau Park Road in Molino.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, 60-year old Lawrence H. Shenk of Cantonment was stopped at a stop sign facing west on Barrineau Park Road when he pulled his pickupĀ  into the path of a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer headed north on Highway 29 about 2:15 p.m.

After striking the SUV, Shenk’s 2001 Dodge Ram pickup overturned and struck a stop sign and street sign before hitting a power pole and coming to rest on its left side. Shenk was airlifted with serious injuries by LifeGuard helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.

The SUV also overturned. Driver Victor J. Rushing, Jr. received minor injuries and was not transported to the hospital. His passengers, 27-year old Carrena Rushing and two children were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries.

Charges against Shenk are pending the results of blood tests, according to the FHP.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

29 Responses to “One Airlifted Following Two Vehicle Highway 29 Crash”

  1. S. Lewitzke on January 14th, 2016 1:30 pm

    Just recently moved to the area. I have never seen such a dangerous highway! There are way too many crossroads for the speed limit!

  2. Greg on January 6th, 2016 1:19 pm

    It’s not the speed ….not the road….no need for a light….it’s people doing everything that you should not do while driving……mandatory drivers license testing after the age of 60 would be nice!

  3. Michelle Rushing on January 5th, 2016 10:14 am

    This is a miracle. This was my son and his family going to his new assigned base in the black Trail Blazer. They have bruises and are doing well no broken bones. Please keep them in yours prayers that God will give them a complete healing. I cry every time I see these pictures cause I know it could have been the other way. I could have gotten the call that I lost my oldest son. Please be careful as you travel that highway.

  4. KAE on January 4th, 2016 11:24 am

    I live VERY close to this intersection and drive it everyday…I have seen many deadly accidents there. In my opinion it does not really matter how fast the north and southbound traffic is going-you cross when traffic allows you to safely cross. I never take chances at this intersection. Impatience will get you killed behind the wheel. Prayers to those involved.

  5. JW on January 4th, 2016 10:26 am

    Go ahead and put a light at all crossroads on Hwy 29. You’ll never get to where you need to go unless you drive the backroads.

  6. bthompson on January 4th, 2016 8:22 am

    Yes, saw the afterrmath shortly after. Immediately my husband and I prayed for whomever was involved. It is a bad intersection, but even if there was a light this wouldn’t stop the driving issues at hand. Before the red light at 29 and 97 many, many wrecks at that area and the lanes coming from 97 to the light are pooly thought out by the contractors. There is no turn lane going north on 97 into the
    Tom Thumb and traffice will bottle nose with cars trying to get a chance to turn into the station which causes a chain reaction onto 29. Drivers are the responsible ones and God is in control its ujp to us to make the right choices…go ahead or wait…text while driving or not. This is a huge issue going to therapy in Pensacola I see so many texting in the morning work traffic so much distractions and not enough of paying attentioin. Wish the best for all and praying more attentive drivers and of there surrondings..

  7. Janet on January 4th, 2016 7:04 am

    This intersection can be dangerous… many drivers get impatient and try to beat the oncoming traffic. Having said that, I also agree that this area does have speeders that are going over the set limit. Not sure but isn’t the speed limit set for 55 in this area? This is one area, my husband and I both keep our eyes on the traffic waiting to enter hwy 29; regardless of the speed limit. Better to be safe than sorry.

  8. flmomof4 on January 4th, 2016 3:04 am

    Why put in lights?!?
    REDUCE THE SPEED LIMIT!!!
    NO reason 29 should be over 50/55 PERIOD!
    Traffic has increased greatly since ‘09 !
    Not to mention it is NOT an interstate but has speed limits higher than most of our I-10 with merging & exit lanes. Trying to go from 65+ to a stop or switching lanes is dangerous.
    Think of WHY 301… it goes from 45 to 35 through multiple towns.
    Reduce the speed and you’ll reduce the risks.

  9. Trina Tingle on January 3rd, 2016 5:53 pm

    May God lay his hands upon everyone involved in this accident and their families. What a terrible way to start a New Year…God bless and keep you all

  10. Michael on January 3rd, 2016 4:51 pm

    My grandfather was killed at that very same intersection while crossing hwy29 going east to Barrineau Park road Hwy 196 back in 1963. Someone that going 80 to85 miles an hour. I agree some type of warning signal should be put at this intersection.

  11. Very concerned on January 3rd, 2016 2:25 pm

    Regarding what Richard said about people going on 29. No, they don’t do 65 the most of them are doing 75,I live where I have to come into 29 at the bottom of a hill when people pop over that hill they are flying,we take our lives and put it into the hands of God every time we come out. Please people slow down,things are not that important as the lives of your loved ones or the lives of others.

  12. Cammie Rountree on January 3rd, 2016 11:46 am

    To people assuming DUI, article says blood tests were pending. Any accident is awful, regardless of circumstances.

  13. Willis on January 3rd, 2016 9:53 am

    People drive under the influence, drive distracted and they pull out in front of others ….
    And innocent people get hurt.

    Signs nor lights fix that.

  14. G. Faulk on January 3rd, 2016 8:03 am

    I do not live in Pensacola now but I did for a number of years and on the northside. My family knows the intersection well as do many of our Brewton neighbors. Praying for the injured and family members involved. Yes a light would be great maybe to draw more attention (which as licensed drivers ) we should always be attentive, light or no light. Also we can not monitor the driving techniques of every person on the road. It is simple but not in today’s lifestyle: Drive responsibly, watch out for other drivers, do not drink or do drugs before driving, and please family and friends watch out for each other. Our society has become PASSIVE. Wake up and be resposible/intervene.

  15. Jane on January 3rd, 2016 4:13 am

    People drive fast and others try to get across the road or out onto it. It is dark or clouded over so visibility is poor and people drive with no headlights on so it is harder to see a gray/dark vehicle. The traffic light at 97 and Hwy. 29 has helped so much. Maybe this one needs at least a blinking light.

  16. Stumpknocker on January 2nd, 2016 10:58 pm

    If there was a light put up everywhere there was an accident people would have to leave home at 3am to get to work by 7am. Lets just try basic good driving habits and drive your car and not be distracted by anything and dont be in a hurry and take a risk. There have been a lot of single vehicle accidents lately, what would be the cure for this a row of lights flashing to let you know your running off the road or again just pay attention and think of others safety as well as yours.

  17. Patriot on January 2nd, 2016 10:43 pm

    Here’s a thought… Don’t drink and drive. Don’t pull out in front of another vehicle that has the right of way.

  18. Terry Palmer on January 2nd, 2016 10:12 pm

    People need to pay more attention. Look left look right and look left again.

  19. Puddin on January 2nd, 2016 9:50 pm

    Thats a horrible intersection, as everyone agrees. I wonder if there are any plans for a traffic light or anything?

    Prayers for all involved.

  20. Richard on January 2nd, 2016 9:18 pm

    Perhaps if everyone would pay more attention to driving there vehicles, there would be less accidents. when you are crossing highway 29 at Barrineau park road, or any other cross road on highway 29 where vehicles are traveling at 65 MPH. you should be very attentive. If not, the results will be tragic if not deadly.
    Do not rely on a traffic light to drive your vehicle for you. What if there were no traffic light. (such as after a hurricane) turn off your cell phones or don’t answer them. 100% on driving your vehicle and nothing else.

  21. Kevin on January 2nd, 2016 9:08 pm

    No light needed. I recently have had to use that intersection at least both morning and night without difficulty. The trees might could use a little trimming but there’s not enough cross traffic for a light. Maybe the answer is that driver’s need to pay closer attention. Other than under poor weather conditions, you can see traffic in both directions clearly.

  22. A Alex on January 2nd, 2016 8:51 pm

    THINK PEOPLE. If the pu had a red flashing light, it would not have helped. He pulled out after stopping , thinking he could make it across.

  23. Nancy on January 2nd, 2016 8:50 pm

    There needs to be a blinking yellow/red light at this intersection just like the one at 29 & Molino Rd…. or maybe people just need to pay more attention. Very scary!

  24. Molino resident on January 2nd, 2016 8:13 pm

    There seems to be more wrecks at this intersection than any other in Pensacola. Perhaps a red blinking light on the stop sign like the one at West Roberts and Pine Forest! Just a suggestion.

  25. tammy on January 2nd, 2016 6:02 pm

    I seen that wreck didn’t witness it but I prayed for those people

  26. teresa keener on January 2nd, 2016 5:58 pm

    I have lived in this area for 30 years and this intersection has taken the lives of too many people to count. It’s long overdue a traffic light.

  27. Livinmolino on January 2nd, 2016 5:48 pm

    I hate that intersection…there should be a light

  28. Jayn on January 2nd, 2016 5:17 pm

    There was a similar wreck there two weeks ago and it happens here all the time. This intersection is dangerous and needs a traffic light! Hope the injured heal quickly.

  29. C. Knowlton on January 2nd, 2016 5:02 pm

    Prayers that driver of truck will be okay and that everyone else is fine.