Driver Critically Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash
April 2, 2017
One person was critically injured in a single vehicle rollover accident late Saturday night on Highway 97 near Walnut Hill.
The driver of a Nissan Sentra was apparently northbound on HIghway 97 when they failed to properly negotiate a curve and left the roadway just south of Highway 164. The vehicle struck a culvert and went airborne over Highway 164 and landed on its side in a ditch next to Highway 97.
Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to cut the roof the vehicle to free the man. He was airlifted by LifeFlight helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
The Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Atmore Ambulance and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the accident.
Pictured: Firefighters cut the top off a car to free the driver trapped inside. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Driver Critically Injured In Highway 97 Rollover Crash”
My grandfather commuted that highway for 20 years from his home in Atmore to Pensacola. He totaled 2 cars and was in several fender benders in that time frame. People do not drive good here, period. Speed is not necessarily the culprit. It’s impatience and a lack of respect for other drivers. Lose your sorry attitude when you’re behind the wheel. It’ll save your life and the lives of those around you.
I drive a high horsepower sports car. I love speed. I drive that road often. you cannot safely drive 70mph on some parts of that road.
I people can’t deal with the longer commute times, maybe they should consider moving closer to town.
Totally agree Gary. Hwy 97 is a death trap and I pray everyday that my family will make it to and from Pensacola without incident. People doing 80+ mph all the time and passing on the double yellow no passing zone. Never see any traffic enforcement but I know all agency’s are stretched thin. I’ll just keep praying.
I’d be lying if I said I’ve always driven the speed limit. But I drove very heavy cars. Now they are all fuel efficient, weigh next to nothing and fly over guardrails and into trees with the slightest movement onto the gravel shoulder. I feel sorry for these people.
These wrecks have nothing to do with speed. Not paying attention, texting, whatever there doing, causes this type of crash. There is not a curve on that road between Molino and Atmore that cannot be safely taken at 70.
We went to the casino last night and people were passing us in no passing zones like we were barely moving and following too close with their brights on. Traffic on Hwy 97 is so unpredictable. At night, vehicles appear and disappear on those hills/dips and curves. We saw this vehicle on the flat bed on our way home. I am amazed that the driver survived but very glad to hear it. Absolutely could not tell what the vehicle had been, just that it was white.
i earnestly believe if a driver goes the speed limit, does not text, is not under the influence, has eyes on the road, not eating, not fiddling with radio, children or anything else and hands on the wheel this would happen less often. Driving is not the time for multitasking. Speeders on my tail infuriate me. Take some responsibility for yourself,
Yes I feel for the man and his family but can’t othesr see this and learn from it.
It was not the curve’s fault.
I agree with your comment Gary. I drive Hwy 97 a lot and normally drive 4 to 5 mph over speed limit, but it depends on weather and which curves. They way people drive on your bumper. The other week when Ernest Ward was out for spring break, there was this one man who flew by me like I was sitting still. I pray this man will be ok.
Phil would have to agree, 97 is like a drag strip for idiots.
As I have said many times on this forum, highway 97 is the most dangerous road in Escambia County because of driver’s total disrepect of the law….speeding, passing on yellow line,and no law enforcement. Thankful no innocent people hurt.