Part Of Highway 29 Renamed For Highway Worker Killed In McDavid

November 16, 2019

A portion of Highway 29 in McDavid was designated Friday in honor of a worker that was struck and killed while on the job last year.

His name was Maceo Perkins, a name that won’t be forgotten by those traveling Highway 29 between Cox Road and Sigler Road, now known as “Maceo Perkins Parkway”.

Perkins, 41, was with a group of workers employed by Broad Spectrum working on Highway 29 near Siglar Road. Just after noon on April 6, 2018, he was hit by a vehicle driven by 60-year old Sharon Odom of Century. The Florida Highway Patrol said  Odom’s 2006 Ford Mustang traveled off the roadway onto the west shoulder, colliding with Perkins and the workers’ unoccupied Dodge Ram truck.. He was pronounced deceased at the scene; Odom died at her Century home four days later.

His wife Laquinda Perkins set out to make absolutely sure he would be remembered by seeking the official designation, an honor that required an act of the Legislature and approval by the governor. At the request of Sen. Doug Broxson and the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, the state Legislature passed the designation, and Governor Ron DeSantis signed it into law.

“I did not imagine that I could actually do this,” Laquinda Perkins said during a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon. “I know I can’t have him back. This means so much to me, and it happened in a short period of time…People say it happened fast, but I serve an awesome God. I prayed, and I continue to pray that Maceo would always be remembered.”

“Many times I look at a sign, and I say I wonder who that person was. Now I know that person had someone that loved them so much that they went on a crusade to make sure their name will no be forgotten,” Broxson said. “They will look at this sign and say ‘I wonder who that was; I wonder what he did. I wonder what statement he made’.”

Friday’s ceremony was almost directly across the street where the accident occured.

“I had made him a little cross. It’s over there,” Laquinda said, motioning across Highway 29. “I just did not want him to be forgotten.”

For a photo gallery, click here.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Part Of Highway 29 Renamed For Highway Worker Killed In McDavid”

  1. Patricia on November 18th, 2019 12:13 pm

    Well done! AMEN

  2. Me... on November 16th, 2019 2:07 pm

    Mrs. Perkins, sorry for your loss!
    We will forever be reminded to drive safely and even more carefully around the road crew! May he rest in peace!

  3. Laquinda Perkins on November 16th, 2019 9:01 am

    Thank you state representatives!

  4. Pace_fan on November 16th, 2019 8:09 am

    Well done by County and State!