Escambia Man Identified As Motorcyclist Killed In Crash That Led To Second Crash, Fire Chief Death

November 7, 2019

The motorcyclist in a crash Wednesday near the Muscogee Bridge that led to the death of a fire chief has been identified as an Escambia County man.

Keith Owens, age 57, of Pensacola collided with a 2011 International semi driven by 52-year old Patrick Bankester of Bay Minette on Alabama Highway 112 near the state line and Muscogee Road. Bankester was not injured. Owens was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Fire Chief Dwain S. Bradshaw, 41, was among those that responded to a 3:50 a.m. crash.

Clifton Harrison, age 59 of Mobile, was traveling east on Highway 112 in a loaded 1999 Freightliner log truck (pictured below). Alabama State Troopers said he struck two unoccupied vehicles — a 2007 Peterbilt and a 2011 Dodge truck — before leaving the roadway and striking Bradshaw. The log truck came to rest off the roadway on its side.

Bradshaw was airlifted to Sacred Heart Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He was the district chief at the Bellview Fire Station and the assistant chief at the Beulah Fire Station.

Alabama troopers are continuing their investigation into the exact cause of the crashes.

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

Comments

11 Responses to “Escambia Man Identified As Motorcyclist Killed In Crash That Led To Second Crash, Fire Chief Death”

  1. clif on November 8th, 2019 11:51 pm

    its the driver. the log truck driver. bust ‘em like everybody else.

  2. Concerned Muscgee resident on November 8th, 2019 11:02 am

    Someone need to slow these tucks down residents should not live in fear of being driven off the road by trucks driving at such a high rate of speed that that are not able to keep the truck on their side of the road. Yes it is a highway but it is lined with homes full of families ,most with young children, with parents who are terrified one day their child will be run over just trying to go to school by some guy who thinks his truck load of miscellaneous goods are more important than our lives. Drop the speed limit , post bus stop signs and start writing tickets there is plenty of money to be made

  3. BG on November 7th, 2019 9:36 pm

    I know its not the same thing…NO where like killing someone…But look at the streets and about in Cantonment, this town looks like trash city due to the mess this trucks
    are making. They should be made to pay for someone to clean there mess up one Day a week. I hope this truck driver is fired from his job. PRAY FOR THE FAMILY
    OF THIS MAN THAT GOT KILLED.

  4. Dirk on November 7th, 2019 8:30 pm

    Anyone know what the name of the trucking company was that was hauling the logs?

  5. steve on November 7th, 2019 8:22 pm

    To those asking about law enforcement on that road. DOT is there all the time on AL side. I know I see them stopping trucks often.
    Not sure what happened that night, but it seems like either the brakes did not work or he was not paying attention or the stopped trucks did not have lights on(seriously doubt it)
    I agree those trucks and their load are not well secured nor are they safe at all times.
    Most of these trucks are retired long haul trucks that can not pass the state inspections required for interstate travel. They have mud and sticks and all kind of stuff on the underside that can effect the handling and braking. The drivers rarely stop prior to entering the roadway to check any of that. They are paid by the load and the quicker they get it there and back the more loads they get paid for.
    The timber industry has pushed for laws that are far more lax on logging trucks….

  6. sleeping on November 7th, 2019 5:23 pm

    One big factor seems to be ‘4 am’. Odds go up for crashing after midnight. I understand shift work, etc. Do logs have to be hauled at night? At least slow down at night and be extra, extra careful.

  7. John Doe on November 7th, 2019 5:00 pm

    this will happen again unless something is done very soon.

  8. Beth on November 7th, 2019 4:51 pm

    My thoughts on your question, Heather…..this county doesn’t do anything about the log trucks speeding because of the power of IP! Troopers sit at the Mason Lodge on Hwy 29 picking off speeders who get trapped in between the 45 and 55 speed limit signs but you never see a trooper on Muscogee Road. The almighty dollar!!!

  9. Conserned on Muscogee Rd on November 7th, 2019 2:16 pm

    Truckers slowed down yesterday but at it again today why not a weight station it would pay for it self or maybe DOT could find this road on there map ???????

  10. So Very Sd on November 7th, 2019 1:14 pm

    Prayers for the families.

  11. Heather on November 7th, 2019 12:32 pm

    Why can we not have something done about the log trucks that travel via hwy 112? Did you know???? In AL, insurance does not cover the cost of a windshield. That being said, if you live in the Gateswood/ Clear springs community you are always replacing windshields due to the broken logs that fly off these trucks and hit your windshield, rocks being thrown up as they pull out in front of you, run you off the road, etc. These truckers wont pay for a windshield and our law enforcement sure doesn’t give a damn.
    The log truckers that drive trucks with bent axles practically on both side of the lanes. It is dangerous to travel these road and we sure don’t have a way to keep them safe.