FHP Releases Details In Tragic Wreck That Claimed Two Lives, Injured Two Others On Highway 95A
July 29, 2019
A tragic crash early Monday morning claimed the lives of two people and seriously injured two others in Cottage Hill.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Dalchunique S. Lavender, age 20 of Cantonment, was northbound on Highway 95A at Coweta Road, just south of McKenzie Road, when her 2007 Ford Focus left the roadway and struck a utility pole about 1:20 a.m. The vehicle wrapped around the pole and came to rest between Highway 95A and adjacent railroad tracks.
Two of her passengers, 15-year old Samara Cooks and 18-year old Deleigha T. Gibson, both of Cantonment, were pronounced deceased on the scene. Lavender and passenger Alexandria R. Banks, 18, were critically injured and transported by Escambia County EMS to Sacred Heart Hospital.
Lavender was the only occupant of the vehicle that was wearing a seat belt, FHP said. The wreck was not alcohol related.
The FHP said it is unknown at this time if any charges will be filed.
The Cantonment, Ensley and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded the crash.
Pictured: A tragic wreck claimed two lives and injured two others in Cottage Hill early Monday morning. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
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38 Responses to “FHP Releases Details In Tragic Wreck That Claimed Two Lives, Injured Two Others On Highway 95A”
R.I.P to The ones that lost their life so devastating and hear breaking
I am deeply saddened by the loss of these beautiful ladies. My prayers and heartfelt condolences to their friends and families. It’s sad that they couldn’t even identify the right body which probably made the grieving process more difficult. We have to constantly tell our loved ones we love them, life is sooo short and these young ladies just began to live….. it’s so sad and unfortunate ‼️
samara will always be in my heart. ii still cant believe this happened. im still in shock and its so hard to believe that one of my closest friends is gone
I will love and miss you always baby girl. I will miss our FaceTime just to tell each other I love you. I will miss your text messages. Most of all I will miss that beautiful smile. Just know baby girl I loved you with all my heart ❤️ The fam and I will take care of your mom your grandma and your aunt Kim we got them fam for life. RIH my beautiful Samara
I am so sorry to hear this tragic accident with one of my closest friends. I send all prayers to her family. #LLMara
I’m so Sorry samara for what happened I seen you around school and I used to have gym with you I know we didn’t really know each other but you were so bright spirited how could I not notice you I have so many questions you were just so young and how could this happen so fast I just wonder like what were you thinking when you started going off the road or why the car crash but all those questions will be unanswered but I hope you move on to a beautiful afterlife and Rest In Peace girl
Regardless of what caused this wreck, people stop Facebooking and other social media while driving. We don’t need to see your selfies, where you just left or where you are going. Turn the phones off. Those things can wait until you are home sitting on the couch.
Samara was a very close friend. Who had a beautiful smile, and hair that I only dreamed of. I’ve known you since 7th grade with a class with you every year. I was hoping to have one with you this year. You goofy personality and sense of humor will truly be missed. I haven’t felt this hurt in a long time. This is truly sad and you was to young to go.Your family our friends are in my prayers. Love you Samara. RIP
Samara Rhonda is really miss u right now she is so heart broken Rhonda goes to school in Atlanta we are so sorry for the family loss
I am so sorry this has happened and pray “The Great Spirit” consoles all families involved…That is a really dangerous area on 95A…especially with so many large trucks using that road….We need the road dept. to widen 95A!
@ Jeff .. “This car should visit every high school and large function, as is, as a reminder of how fragile our lives are. Maybe these kids will save someone else’s life”
NO, This will not work either, It has already been done before with a Friend of mine who lost their Son on Well Line Road in Cantonment. They had his truck delivered up to Faith Chapel Funeral Home for ALL his friends and drunks to see for themselves what drinking and driving will do. Not too long after that the girl friend of the son who got killed was driving and drinking and got into a very bad accident herself. She almost died that day and did not learn from her own boyfriends mistake. She is still having problems from that wreck and she is still drinking and driving to this day. It will not stop those who wants to drink and drive. Just sayin
I miss you Samara you were my partner in crime and I cant believe you are gone. I dont want this to be real but unfortunately I have to face it and I am praying that my other two cousins Nique and Rena get better i love yall so much. I love you Ranada, mom and auntie Lois and auntie Sandy and Sonameukia
It didn’t happen at the curve. The curve in the road was a good quarter mile from the accident site. I do agree, that they need a left turn lane, if you are driving from the North, going South, and trying to make a turn onto McKenzie. and I do agree the curve could be better done, but like I said, it didn’t happen at the curve.
Crying out loud..! Bcz children are lost again. While I pray the others survive to tell the tale, live, love & laugh again, I can count way too many kids lost since 2014, all tragic, but none who were so close.. at one time like another daughter. Leigha looking thru all the photos of fun, I can’t believe it’s you and pray “God help Us All, fill us with your comfort & love”
Noooo… Samara, sweet girl. You lived up the street from me and watched over my daughter and took her under your wing. We just saw you when you came down and asked if we had some newspaper bc y’all were moving
I am extremely sorry to hear this sad news. I’m the mom of one of Samaras closest friends (patrice). We are in total shock and we would like her family to know that we are praying for them. We are praying for all whom were involved.
This hurts beyond words can describe, you were and always will be a close friend to me, the ROTC family, and the Harris’s I hope to offer my condolences and prayers for your family, my dad and your mom were really close you will always be missed deleigha.
My prayers
Maybe they should redesign that curve it’s been a lot of fatalities on that strech where that steep curve is maybe make it wider i know speed sometimes might be a factor but it’s been a lot of fatalities at that same spot to the family of the one’s that lost your loved one’s you have my condolences
I’m so heartbroken right now…I just talked to you on Saturday…father god please wrap your arms around my family…My sister Glenda lost her only grandchild Samara…we love you…My niece Ranada lost her only child…Kimberly my heart goes out to you..To my cousins Sandy and Meka…I’m praying for my beautiful lil cousins and ya’ll too.My god help us all…in his holy name jesus christ I pray
Here we go blaming an 18 wheel tractor trailer. Not saying you blamed them, but just by saying it, made me kind of put out. Right now, we don’t know what happened. Maybe an animal ran out in front of the driver and she tried to avoid it. Maybe something make her look away for just a second. We don’t know, and may never know. So please stop blaming, unless you know for sure. I for one are very sadden that such a tragic loss for two kids that were just starting to start their lives. The two that have made it, I am praying that they make it, and most of all, I am praying for their family and friends. This has got to be a very heart breaking for them, and I am so sorry for your loss. May God be with you during this difficult time.
I sure hope those other two girls make it!! Thoughts for all those involved.
PRAYING FOR YOU AND ALL THE FAMILY
so sorry to hear of your loss my prayers are withe the families your cousin
I’m so Sorry to hear such heart broken news. Praying for your Families and God lay your hands on these Parents, Carry them JESUSin your HOLY name
This car should visit every high school and large function, as is, as a reminder of how fragile our lives are. Maybe these kids will save someone else’s life. It would be a legacy to them. So sorry fo the families
Yea well don’t know for sure how she ran off the Rd but all these 18weller truck that’s starting to use 95a and they don’t care and will run u off the roads I have done had it happen to me a few times they use it to go around the weight thing and it’s taking it toal on 95a also
My prayers continue for the families. Sorry for the loss of two beautiful girls.. I ask that God wraps his arms around these families and give them strength. Fight on girls. God is not through. Much love and support.
So sad praying for the families may God bless them all !
Leigha we will miss u so much. Love u always
My thoughts and PRAYERS are with the entire family. So Heart Breaking to the entire community to get this kind of News. May GOD Wrap His Arms Around You All!
Prayers to all of the families
Too my beautiful niece. I will alway love and miss you , my heart is so heavy and broken.
Prayers for the families!!!!
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. My God wrap his arms around all of you.
Prayers for this family, they have had a big loss already this year . God bless those two beautiful girls fighting for their lives. Many prayers to the family ..
Praying for everyone involved. So sorry for your loss!
So sad, God Bless the families of these people.