Deputy, Five Others Injured In Traffic Crash

April 12, 2016

Six people, including an Escambia County deputy, were injured in a two vehicle crash Monday night at the intersection of Mobile Highway and Beulah Road.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol,  Deputy Hector Escajeda, 31, was southbound on Beulah Road when he ran a stop sign at Mobile Highway and collided with a Dodge pickup driven by Jon Yvarra, 58, of Pensacola. After the collision, the deputy’s 2010 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire.

Escajeda was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition. Yvarra and his passengers – Patricia Yvarra, 57; Damen Hadder, 12; James Hadder 13; and Christian Hadder, 10, were all transported to area hospitals with serious injuries.

Charges are pending in the crash, according to the FHP.

The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Price, click to enlarge.

Comments

51 Responses to “Deputy, Five Others Injured In Traffic Crash”

  1. Willis on April 14th, 2016 8:35 pm

    @ Gregg witherspoon
    It is always easier to get negative comments than positive ones. I believe you have a lot of people with LEO experience, from the wrong side, writing these.

    I tend to wonder why anyone would choose to follow this career path anymore, while imagining what it would be lIke without you guys.

    LEO is much appreciated but it damn sure doesn’t show very often.

  2. gregg whitherspoon on April 13th, 2016 3:00 pm

    There wasn’t any high speed driving to a call nor was he going anywhere with his emergency lights on (switch was activated from the impact of the wreck maybe). This was a young deputy leaving a day that consisted of training and heading home. Nothing crazy or speeding to a call, just an unfortunate accident. The cruel comments that the citizens are making is heartbreaking and the sadness that is felt within his family for all parties involved. The occupant of the other vehicle also works for the Sheriff’s Office and I assure you, this young man wasn’t out doing anything malicious, driving reckless or anything other than driving home. He doesn’t recall the event but realizes the aftermath. If you feel this much hate towards the local LEO’s, next time dial 9-1-1 and request a local crackhead come help you with your problems. Lets see how that works out for you.

  3. Truth on April 13th, 2016 11:41 am

    Holy spirit forgive us all.

  4. Local Resident on April 13th, 2016 9:21 am

    @ js

    He did have his emergency lights on. They were still on when the vehicle caught fire. I saw the wreck.

  5. Brandon Jernigan on April 13th, 2016 9:14 am

    To serve and protect, right?

  6. Melissa on April 13th, 2016 5:18 am

    Have lived there all my life, my mother still does. Very dangerous intersection! We have seen many many fatal wrecks there! They need to do something now! I worry about my mother all the time.

  7. BT on April 12th, 2016 11:16 pm

    It’s interesting that folks seem to know this is a dangerous intersection, but we’ve kind of accepted this as normal around here. I don’t even know who you would talk to about this to get it fixed before something bad happens.

    A warning light or those rumble strips as you approach the intersection might have prevented this.

    What other intersections are so obviously dangerous, and what can be done now to change that?

  8. J bird on April 12th, 2016 9:38 pm

    You guys have no clue!!! These deputy’s / police officers are on the road 8-12 hrs a day/night.. Driving at high speeds to come to our safety .. On radios , computers talking to dispatchers. Very stressful at times.. Out of all the hundred’s of officers on the road you don’t see this everyday.. Sometimes things like this happen people. Praying for all involed!!!!!!!!

  9. Lee on April 12th, 2016 9:34 pm

    This is a very dangerous intersection. Residents have complained about it for years. The roads are not at 90 degree angles and power poles and vegetation obstruct your line of vision to some degree when you are on Beulah Road trying to cross Mobile Highway. To make matters worse, some people who are making left hand turns onto Mobile Highway don’t use turn signals to give you a clue they may be turning in front of you when you are crossing over Mobile Highway from the other side of Beulah Road. The stop sign on the north side of Beulah Road sits way to the right of the intersection. Stop signs with a blinking red light on the top would be a huge help, as would re-aligning the intersection and putting warning strips down. Too many people have been seriously injured already. So sorry to hear of this accident.

  10. JOHN D BODIE on April 12th, 2016 8:21 pm

    There is a lot of judgement going on here, I will bet that some of You or all of You have ran a stop sign or red light at some point , I have , and thank God that no wreck happened. The Cop is human and guess what He made a mistake. I hope all recover soon. Yes He should get a ticket or whatever, if it was his fault, maybe something happened that We don’t know about yet, I wasn’t there. Was You ?
    Lets not judge yet, Amen

  11. David Huie Green on April 12th, 2016 8:14 pm

    For your own safety and the safety of others as well as concern for their relatives and yours, please consider obeying safety rules such as stopping at red lights and stop signs.

    For your own safety and the safety of others as well as concern for their relatives and yours, please remember others don’t always obey safety rules such as stopping at red lights and stop signs.

    Don’t worry so much about being in the right as being alive when it’s all over.

    David for self-driving cars
    and cameras, lots of cameras

  12. Wharf Rat on April 12th, 2016 7:10 pm

    So a citizen had an accident…it was not pre-planned, and he had no way a half -second before it happened it was even going to occur. These happen every day. The police haters come out from their dark places to accuse the “hated” LEO. People , it was an accident. He was not targeting anybody. His Sheriff’s vehicle is his office. I have had bankers in their office mess up my accounts, with a lot of time to plan their strategy.

    I am more offended by government waste in political correctness, and welfare, which is planned well ahead, than I am by a lone Deputy making a mistake on a dark country road.

    Lord bless the families involved.

  13. anne on April 12th, 2016 5:53 pm

    One of my worst accidents (one of 2 and 32 yrs apart) happened on Olive Rd after the other driver stopped for a stop sign. He said he didn’t see me coming and pulled out 6 ft in front of me. Because of the color of my vehicle, the sun setting and my having no headlights on, I believed everything he said. This is why we call these meetings an accident. None of us go out looking for an accident to get in to. I hope they will all recover just fine.

  14. ECSORETIRED on April 12th, 2016 5:29 pm

    What all the haters do not know is that Pat Yvarra is an executive secretary at the ECSO. Do you really think Deputy Escajeda crashed into her and her husband and grandchildren on purpose? This was a tragic accident . A speedy recovery to ALL involved.

  15. Cliff Disney on April 12th, 2016 4:43 pm

    Interesting how you see the worse of people and the best of people during a tragedy. I am sure parties involved wish they had met on more pleasant circumstances.

  16. Rich on April 12th, 2016 3:33 pm

    John S, nobody said he intended for the accident to happen, the fact he ran a stop sign is reason enough to blame him

  17. js on April 12th, 2016 2:58 pm

    Hope everyone turns out ok.
    If the deputy is at fault, he should be charged just like anyone else, and suffer the consequences of his actions, just like anyone else.
    I wonder if he did not have his lights on, will the officer say he did? Just wondering…

  18. Esc co leo on April 12th, 2016 2:48 pm

    @ Bray Lynn

    I assure you that he will be held responsible. In fact, doubly so because not only will he be cited for the crash (if found to be at fault) but he will also face discipline at work. I’m not sure why people think that LEOs don’t get held responsible for crashes. We get cited just the same as anybody else in a crash.

  19. Leowife on April 12th, 2016 2:13 pm

    All you people pointing dirty fingers at the deputy need to shut up. Unless you were there, you don’t know what happened. It’s a dirty shame this county, state, country has given our deputies a bad wrap. There are so many good out there. All you people should get on your knees and pray for all involved, and why your at it, pray for your judgemental soul! #prayingforalltheseinvolved#proudeleowife#walkadayintheirshoes

  20. John S on April 12th, 2016 1:44 pm

    Him being a Deputy has absolutely nothing to do with accident! !!!! If you think that it does, then your a SPECIAL KIND OF STUPID!!!! I don’t even know him personally, but I promise you he didn’t go to work yesterday with the intention of this happening!!!!

  21. Samantha on April 12th, 2016 1:42 pm

    I can’t believe people have actually commented rude or hateful comments directed toward the deputy involved in this accident..Have some compassion for him and his family and you should be ashamed of yourselves. My prayers are with all who where injured.

  22. Trina Tingle on April 12th, 2016 1:25 pm

    You People are disgusting….3 children we seriously injured along with 3 adults, one just happens to be a police officer. Why can’t you see past the prejudice ignorance and pray for these PEOPLE….YES PEOPLE. Like you have never accidentally/or not ran a stop sign.
    To the families: May God hold your family members in his arms and bring much comfort and peace to you all….

  23. JLR on April 12th, 2016 1:19 pm

    This may come as a shock to some of you but Deputy or not, this man has a family and he is HUMAN. EVERY one of you has made a mistake and to point fingers at a time like this is disgusting. This was an accident and none of you know every detail. Prayers for everyone involved. No family should have to hurt even more by reading some of your thoughtless and cruel comments.

  24. bob on April 12th, 2016 12:54 pm

    There really are some ignorant people posting on this site. An accident is just that! Someone I am sure is to blame but to wish ill on the deputy really is evidence of a lower class sub human that tends to live here in Escambia. Bet none of you winners would do what they do for 30K. Heck you probably make that much in welfare checks each year! I hope all recover quick INCLUDING THE DEPUTY!

  25. Momma on April 12th, 2016 11:37 am

    @Bill M. It clearly states that the person who ran the stop sign is a deputy…

  26. Rich on April 12th, 2016 11:00 am

    The driver of the Tahoe being a deputy is very important. You would expect law enforcement to at the least abide by driving laws. A STOP sign means stop for all, including Law Enforcement

  27. Arlene Hawkins on April 12th, 2016 10:49 am

    The family are my cousins, my prayers are with you all. They are hospitalized.

  28. Bray Lynn on April 12th, 2016 10:30 am

    Prayers to the family involved. Too bad this cop won’t be held accountable. Just like the rest who don’t follow the rules. Great example these guys are….NOT!

  29. Puddin on April 12th, 2016 9:59 am

    Prayers for all involved.

    @ John. It is mentioned because the man was in his County vehicle. Also, because, as a Deputy, he is held to a higher standard than the average citizen.

  30. Susan on April 12th, 2016 9:55 am

    Praying that everyone is okay. I go that way every time I go to my daughters house. It is a very scary intersection. Everyone needs to pay attention to all traffic signs and signals. You can’t do just a quick stop there, you need to stop, look and listen.

  31. Karen S on April 12th, 2016 9:37 am

    I just read the article sunday of someone hitting the Ems vehicle and the outrage for people not stopping for Ems… Where is the out rage of this deputy almost killing this family… I am glad everyone is ok But geez he is an officer of the law he gives out tickets for the same thing.. I wonder if it will be told if he was on the phone or texting,,, This should not be acceptable by law enforcement. Rant Over

  32. molino jim on April 12th, 2016 9:25 am

    @ John S.— Thank you, you beat me to the same comment. hope ALL of them are better today and will improve as time goes on.

  33. Michael Weaver on April 12th, 2016 9:16 am

    Yet another careless accident that has caused pain and suffering. Now it’s going to cost us taxpayers. WAKE UP PEOPLE. PAY ATTENTION WHILE DRIVING.

  34. David on April 12th, 2016 9:15 am

    Been living here decades and decades in this area- there are drivers who have too much going on in the front seat and being distracted to be a safe driver.
    That does not automatically make ” a bad intersection: a bad road, a bad curve etc..
    You can not engineer a safe driver to drive safe.
    That’s why they are called accidents and not ” a bad driver”
    I use that intersection every day and night and the key thing is- I am not distracted by anything and chose not to be
    I want to live

  35. RANDY THOMPSON on April 12th, 2016 8:58 am

    They need warning signs at that blind curve,slower speed limits and a red light or round about to slow things down right there.

  36. Mary on April 12th, 2016 8:50 am

    Supposed to be a red light put in at Mobile Hwy & Beulah the first quarter of 2018. Might be sooner than that now.

  37. sue on April 12th, 2016 8:43 am

    @ John S.!

    I ready the article in PNJ (prior to reading your comment), and could not believe they did not include all of the facts in the story!!

    That information has everything to do with accurate reporting.

    1) It’s responsible reporting!
    2) It’s the FACTS!
    3) He was in his county cruiser (tax payers money) & probably on duty.

    Thank you to the citizens who helped and sorry for everyone involved!

  38. Local Resident on April 12th, 2016 8:36 am

    I live within a quarter mile of this intersection, way off the road and it sounded like it was in my own front yard. I pray for this deputy, whom which was on his way to a call with his emergency flashers on, and the victims in the truck. Please everyone slow down and watch what you’re doing. I myself have been a victim of this intersection. My grandmother and I were headed west on mobile hwy when someone that was headed north on beulah rd ran the stop sign. Needless to say we hit them without ever seeing them and we landed on beulah rd facing north. I hope this red light comes sooner than 2018.

  39. Tara on April 12th, 2016 8:34 am

    Everyone who lives out here in Beulah heard the aftermath. The many many sirens and chopper flying overhead told us this was very bad. The Beulah community is praying for all those involved regardless of who was at fault. We love our people and those who protect it. We would like everyone to keep saying prayers for the victims but also for Beulah. We’ve had too many accidents at this intersection and need our local government to help us get a traffic light, speed bumps, or just SOMETHING done to ensure this doesn’t happen again.

  40. JW on April 12th, 2016 8:22 am

    Prayers go out to the deputy, the passengers in the truck and the ECSO family.

  41. jeeperman on April 12th, 2016 8:18 am

    That is the intersection where the stat wants to put in a “roundabout”.

    Hope all recover to 100%.

  42. Gene on April 12th, 2016 8:07 am

    Praying for this family!

  43. Ravae on April 12th, 2016 7:58 am

    It is a horrible intersection. Lived on the corner when I was a kid my parents used to hear tires Screech and run with towels in the phone and call 911.. my cousin still live on the corner they were there last night pulled the deputy out of his vehicle.. they said it was a very scary incident…

  44. John S. on April 12th, 2016 7:35 am

    @ Bill M. — What does the “guy who ran the stop sign” being a Deputy have anything to do with it? ????

  45. Bill M. on April 12th, 2016 6:55 am

    The mullet wrapper didn’t think it was important to tell us the guy running the stop sign was a deputy. Good reporting William.

  46. Wparker on April 12th, 2016 6:36 am

    Prayers for all! Been a lot of accidents lately.

  47. Phil on April 12th, 2016 6:32 am

    It’s a really bad intersection when you don’t stop at the stop sign. Hope those kids are ok

  48. Freeda on April 12th, 2016 6:19 am

    YEs I have lived out here 40 plus years and I am honestly shocked there has not been more serious wrecks there. Now in the weekday mornings it is truly luck. It needs something. Even those warning small bumps before you get to the stop sign would be good. There is minimal lighting there.

  49. Sonia Mason on April 12th, 2016 6:06 am

    I hope all involved recover. My best friend and another passer-by assisted the family & busted a window to pull the deputy out and away from the vehicle before it caught fire. God put them in the right place at the right time.

  50. Hilton on April 12th, 2016 5:48 am

    Praying for all involved .

  51. Mark on April 12th, 2016 5:37 am

    That is a bad intersection. I do not know why, but that stop always gets ran. I hate going by it.