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Pine Forest Road Crash Claims One Life, Two ECUA Workers Seriously Injured
July 6, 2018
One person died in a traffic crash on Pine Forest Road near 9 1/2 Mile Road Friday morning, and two ECUA workers were seriously injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol said 32-year old Blake Emory Wartenbe was southbound on Pine Forest Road when he traveled into the northbound lane in a no passing zone in an attempt to pass. His 2009 Audi S5 collided head-on with an ECUA sanitation pickup truck driven by 47-year old Robert Bodiford of Pensacola.
Wartenbe was pronounced deceased. Bodiford and his passenger, 62-year old Horace Green, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in serious condition.
The accident remains under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol.
Pictured: The scene of a fatal crash Friday morning on Pine Forest Road. Photo below for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. Photo above courtesy WEAR 3 for NorthEscambia.com.
Comments
30 Responses to “Pine Forest Road Crash Claims One Life, Two ECUA Workers Seriously Injured”
Any updates on the ECUA guys? I am hoping they are doing better… havent seen any updates on the news…..
The driver had a seizure that caused the wreck.
I did not know Blake Wartenbe or any of his family, yet my heart is broken for this young man who lost his life too soon. When I passed the accident I immediately began to pray for the loss those who loved him and will continue to pray that in your grief may you feel God’s arms around you, holding you up, strengthening you. May the many memories of Blake you have hidden inside your heart bring you comfort during this time of Great sadness.
I am also praying for Mr Green and Mr Bodiford that God heals their bodies and comforts their family.
Update: regardin the ECUA crash—————MR Green is doin better— MR Boniford is doing better still a LONG ways to go –like i said last time –this could have been alot worce for the ECUA drivers –my heart is broken for the family that lost a loved 1 in the crash , unless you have lost a husband , wife , child to death it is impossuble for you to understand what they are going though , imagain yourself getting word that your husband , wife is in a crash——you finally get to see them hours after the crash and your heart is ripped to peaces and you say O MY GOD nd you fall apart as your loved 1 is hanging in the ballance and all you can say ” DEAR GOD PLEASE DONT LET THEM DIE !———–now you may have an inklin of an idea of what they are going though — i am sadden @ the other driver lost his like and hes eather in Heave or hell only God and him knew for sure but God has spared these 2 for a reason —and yes WE ALL NEED TO SLOW DOWN —-NEXT TIME IT COULD BE YOU —- ARE YOU READY ?
Richard, I will be praying for everyone involved. If you can, please keep us informed on their condition. My sister use to work ECUA as a cashier. Her name was Dianne Ables, and she passed away in 1994 from cancer. Everyone at ECUA were so good to her.
prayin for Mr Boniford , and Mr Green , i work directly under Mr Boniford @ ECUA and this has sent a shock wave though the office —-you never know —– 1 minuate all is welll and then something like this happens —- Please b in prayer for the family that lost the guy , and the families of both ECUA guys —their r several drivers including me who want to go see Mr Boniford but it has been requested by the family to hold up for now and Mr Boniford is in ICU in the Hosp. in serious serious condition , i have asked my church to just be prayin for him and ask that everybody do the same cause he is in Gods hands , keep in mind this could have been much worce but God spared them for a reason —————REGARDLESS OF WHAT U BELIEVE OR NOT JUST KEEP THEM IN YOUR PRAYERS CAUSE THE PRAYERS OF GODS PEOPLE IS THEONLY WAY THEY WILL GET THOUGH THIS ——–THANKS
So sad….and I agree that harsh comments should not said. We all are guilty of not obeying
“street laws” and we know it! Pray for some degree of comfort for his family because I can personally testify that it is agony.
This is so sad for everyone involved. I travel this road frequently and I don’t understand the comments that a traffic light is needed. There is a traffic light at Publix and there is a stop sign at Pine Forest and West Roberts. I don’t know where a traffic light would be in place in that stretch. There is construction there and if you follow the construction workers signals then you can get through the area safely.
Before you LEAVE your home, it is imperative that you (give) yourself enough (time) to get to where you have to go…. so you’re not tempted to speed and do something stupid! Yes, we are all guilty! We all have to share the road people, driving responsibly starts before you even get in your car!
An idiot yesterday, was tailgating my wife, right on her bumper in a big hurry!!! where did he pull up into? Taco Bell, not like he was pulling into the emergency room!!!
Praying for all families involved, and for all of us to be more sensible drivers.
I have to agree with Glen. This section of Pine Forest Rd. is monitored regularly. Most people don’t realize that the speed limit from 9 Mile Road up to 9 1/2 Mile is actually 35 mph. Just slow down. Prayers for all those involved.
It’s really tragic when you hurt others because you can’t obey the traffic laws.
prayer for our ECUA employees involved in this tragedy, hoping for a full and speedy recovery. prayer also for the family of the deceased. no one deserves for these things to happen at any time in their lives.
This is a tragic accident and let’s us come together as a community to help those who knew and loved Blake deal with this grief. Let’s us keep our harsh words and opinions to ourselves . Pray for recovery for the other men and for their families because regardless of all us a lot of people are hurting as a result of the accident. Nothing can lessen the pain or bring Blake back but please respect his family and his memory..
I feel for all the family’s involved. Have to differ with the no deputy’s on pine Forrest. State troopers are on it regularly and issue tickets constantly. It is aactually one road that is watched quite a bit.
Blake happened to be a good friend of mine. He was an outstanding human being and
When i heard the news my heart sank. Praying for his family. He will be terribly Missed
@karen, when deputies DO go out and try to slow people down or write tickets for this kind of stuff they catch three hells for doing it. This accident, while sad for all involved, could have been daily been avoided with a little patience and obeying simple traffic laws. Folks who scream about getting tickets are quite simply breaking the law and can’t accept the penalties for doing it. Leave five minutes earlier, put on the seat belt, save lives. Simple. Prayers for all involved including our first responders who started their day with this horrible event.
Many people think Pine Forest Road is an extension of Five Flags Speedway! I drive the speed limit but am passed by drivers going 60-90 mph…..because THEY CAN. Never any deputies out there waiting in the bushes to catch the speed freaks.
This touches my heart really deep as my son is an ECUA employee It could have been him, so glad it wasn’t, but so sorry for the guys who were injured. I have learned in the last couple of months that you never know what may happen, kiss your family and tell them you love them. Prayers for the family who lost their loved one.
So sorry for your loss Joey and family. Praying for all those involved.
We are praying for everyone in the car wreck.
Those of us who follow the laws are run off the roads by those who don’t. Makes me wish they had a drone on every road to show exactly what these drivers are doing. Some of us value our vehicles and our lives.
Please pray for all of the families involved. To lose a family member is horrible to lose a child is unthinkable tragedy. Joey and Amanda I am so very sorry for your lose words are no good here if there is anything we can do please let us know remember you have a huge family and we are all praying for both of you.. I do not know the other people who were injured and I pray for thier fast recovery and healing.
Our Wonderful ECUA men woke this morning to serve the county they didn’t deserve this….
It’s been many years since our high school years at Tate; they seem like yesterday. Blake, you were my friend
Came upon this on my way to work this morning. OMG!! What a mess. So sad. Prayers for the families that are involved.
Speeding dont save enough time worth losing your life over. He may have passed but they woulda ended up at the next red light together. Slow down and be patient people!!!!
Prayers for all and families for all that are involved. Mr. Horace Green come on and pull thru. I thought of you instantly today but just figured I’d see you in the Barber Shop for hair cut and beard trim. Heard of the wreck and seen this is you. Let us know if you need any thing… Pull on thru prayers for speedy recovery. Your Barber.
I drive this part of Pine Forest daily and see people trying to drive 60+ mph in the 45 zone, running stops signs at 9 1/2 mile and passing in both the median and turn lanes. People need to tone down the aggressive and wreckless driving, OUR FAMILIES are on the road!!!
What a tragic mess.
Prayers for Mr Bodiford-he was one of my husband’s supervisors at ECUA.