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Updated: Two People Killed In Highway 97 Head-On Crash Sunday Morning
July 11, 2021
Two people died in a three-vehicle wreck on Highway 97 Sunday morning near Molino. One other person was critically injured.
The crash occurred about 9:40 a.m. at the intersection of Highway 97 and Gibson Road, about 3.5 miles north of Highway 29.
The Florida Highway Patrol said a Ford SUV was southbound on Highway 97 approaching the intersection with Gibson Road when the driver crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a white Chevrolet pickup truck that was northbound. Another pickup truck collided with the rear of the white pickup.
The passenger in the Ford Explorer, a 60-year old Cantonment woman, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the SUV, a 65-year old Cantonment man, was critically injured.
A 62-year old Cantonment man driving the white pickup truck was pronounced deceased. His dog also died in the crash.
The 46-year old Cantonment man driving the third pickup truck was not injured.
For additional photos, click here.
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. Highway 97 was closed for several hours by the wreck.
FHP no longer releases the names of traffic crash victims.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
37 Responses to “Updated: Two People Killed In Highway 97 Head-On Crash Sunday Morning”
Man I can’t belive this
That’s a dangerous stretch of road!! It’s like a racetrack out there, people will tail gate you, and I had a car pass me at a no passing zone before. I’ll slow down to let them pass. I live in Atmore and travel this road to go visit my daughter that lives in Pace. I dont know if speed was a factor in this situation, but a cop could sit here and write speeding tickets all day if they wanted to. My sincerest condolences to the family of the victims and may God give them comfort and peace at this heartbreaking time.
I have family members who live off that road. I only visit when I have to. I am very nervous on that road. I had some one pass me ,an 3 other cars, going at least 95mph…..people really need to slow down. Prayers to all the families.
Praying for the families, this is a very dangerous road people pass around curves going 70-90 mph they have no care in the world that sooo many of our children is in schools on this same hwy. I also seen ppl passing bus after bus not giving one concern if they was to wreck. There has to be something done about this. Praying for both of y’alls families which in this case I don’t believe it was from speeding. There is a sheriff sub station there too so lets use our tax payers money who built it and use it.
With all the information submitted, nothing will be done. Wrecks will continue, people will die, home envasion, shootings, drugs, etc.
Thank you Tracy for staying with the man in the white truck.. He was my next door neighbor , growing up, and best friend, since I could walk, and we remained friends. The kindest gentlest soul ever! My heart is SO broken! Thank you!!!
Would speed bumps up and down the space of hey help. I don’t care for them, as I’m sure many don’t, but if it will save lives the so be it. I’m so sorry for the families
Tracy smith that was my uncle in the white truck thank you for staying with him
He and his dog will be layed to rest togeather thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers
I live in Dogwood Park and have for over 20 years. Hwy 97, (Atmore Hwy), is more dangerous than some of the busiest roads in Escambia Cty. This wreck is especially tragic to some of us. I knew one of the victims and he was a friend. I know this hwy like the back side of my hand and its a wide open stretch for the many idiots that travel it. FHP used to patrol this road but not any more. I’ve spoke to officers and they tell me they don’t patrol it and they are only up here to investigate wrecks now. That is B/S. The ESCSO is dealing with more crime up here than I ever imagined. They can’t just sit back and monitor traffic they don’t have the time. In over 20 years I have come close on many occasion to becoming a statistic. Someone got the great idea some time back to post warning signs such as “hill blocks view” and drop the speed limit 5 or 10 mph. It goes up and down like a yoyo as if that will slow down traffic. People don’t give a damn about the signs or the speed limit and FHP doesn’t give a damn about patrolling it. So yes I’m throwing down on FHP, not the troopers, the ones in power making decisions.
This wreck, this tragic loss of life was avoidable, it didn’t have to happen. I have travelled the roads of Escambia County for most of my adult life. I have worked along the edges of the hwy all over the southeast, people are only obsessed with getting where they are going and the vast majority don’t like it when you get in their way or slow them down. Odds are the southbound vehicle crossed the line because they were not paying attention, its the most common reason. The road is in a short straight stretch right there. The speed limit at Gibson Rd is 55 mph. So if both were doing the speed limit at the time of the collision, the impact felt would be close to 110 mph. I’m surprised anyone lived. Most of us are just trying to get home without being killed, much less the damage to vehicles. These kind of wrecks will continue on this hwy until someone steps up and puts FHP leadership in a headlock and cleans house.
As I said in the beginning, I knew one of the victims. At one time we worked together, we drank together, we fished together, he was a good person, but all that is in the past now. The people that drive this hwy need to slow down and pay attention, it isn’t a race track and you don’t own the road. For those that believe speed doesn’t matter, you don’t need a drivers license, your an accident waiting to happen.
Prayers for the families but also how sad that their was a family pet envolved.
I couldn’t even imagine loosing my pet in a car accident. Rip Doggie.. God Bless
I live off of hwy 97and and people speed like crazy on this road..we need more police on this hwy. it’s a very scary hwy..I was stopped in traffic at this wreck and it was horrible. Saw the man that was life flighted away.. Heartbreaking
Both my husband and son Traval this road just about seven days a week on their way to work. There are times when my husband will say there are cops everywhere on 97 and then there is no one I do know people pass in a no passing zone each and every day very unsafe if you’re in that big of a hurry you should’ve left a day ahead stop putting everyone else is life in harm because you’re late for an appointment, my prayers go out to everyone involved and your families for the loss.
Thank you Tracy Smith for comforting him. Mr Cooper was a wonderful man and will be dearly missed by so many
God Bless these families involved!!! I live off Hwy 97 and get payed every single time I drive this stretch!!! More LAW ENFORCEMENT IS NEEDED!!!
I never travel on 29 or 97…. this is exactly why
Since the driver who crossed the center line survived, why speculate what caused the wreck. Only he would know and at age 65 it might have been a medical emergency that caused him to loose control.
There’s no mention of speeding or passing being blamed for the accident, so perhaps folks should get off their soapbox and pray for the families instead of using this as a forum to complain about speeding and passing.
This really makes me sick to my stomach. I do travel that road about three or four times a month. And I pray to God we make it to Atmore alive. Praying for all involved. Such a sad sad situation. You can’t blame the roads. The road didn’t cause this accident. Not paying attention drivers causes it. Still so sad. My heart breaks for the family and friends of the deceased. Praying for the one person that is in critical condition. Praying for a full recovery.
We continue to pray for the families of those that passed. This is a serious matter when driving this stretch of road. More law enforcement; cut back on speeding is a must. Thank you and Bless you Tracy for being so caring.
May God Bless and watch over you and yours
My friend Renee was killed in this wreck her husband is in the hospital in critical condition…one of the sweetest people I know..now she’s dancing with Jesus on streets of gold
My thoughts and prayers go out to the families that lost their loved ones. Please keep our First Responders near and dear to our hearts. It takes very special Men and Women to do this job and yet they just get swept under the rug. So the next time you see a Police Officer or any First Responder be sure to shake their hands and tell them Thank You for all their hard work. You are appreciated more than you will ever know to me and mine!
Amber B.
In the ten years of living here, I have seen way to many horrible wrecks on the flat stretch of 55MPH Hwy in front of my house. There is continuous high speed passing coming over the hill making it dangerous for us to enter H 97. I get passed a lot by very high speed cars that were not visible pulling out of my drive. At one wreck a car came through the crash clocked at 81 by HP working the accident. Fire truck and rescue were on scene with flashing reds and HP with flashing blue. If I drive 55 on 97 I seldom catch anyone but get passed a lot Highway 97 is a deadly accident eating to happen. Never see any HP action out here. Is it worth dying to go 70/80 for a few miles??????
So sad to hear this news. Prayers for the families. My heart is broken.
My prayer go out tall families involved! That is so heartbreaking!
Tracy Smith, your an angel , thank you for staying with the poor man that died in white truck and comforting him until EMS could arrive.
We saw the aftermath and it was awful
My in-laws went through there right before and then me and my kids right after… so sad
Very sad. Prayers for everyone involved. Thanks to Northescambia.com for the excelkent reporting and photos. I have said numerous times highway 97 is dangerous with speeders and people passing on yellow lines. I onky see law enforcement when there is a wreck. These wrecks always involve an innocent victim when two vehicles are involved. Please slow down and obey traffic laws. Again my condolences to to families who lost loved ones.
Prayers for families and friends left behind.
My prayers to both families. I was behind the SUV when the accident occurred. I’m blessed that I wasn’t involved. I had been talking to the man in the white truck before EMS arrived. I’m still shook up. I’ve never witnessed anything like this. I have to commend Deputy Fire Chief, ECSD, FHP, and EMS for the wonderful job they did.
Omgosh!! Praying for the families
Heartbreaking tragedy. My sincerest condolences and prayers to their families/friends. God be with you all.
Prayers for the families… so sad to hear.
So sad… Prayers for the families…
RIP Renee ! Your with your sweet Daddy and brother now. Prayers for the Dortch and Polk families!
I came through there a few minutes before that as well. Praying for the families.
Oh my!
We just missed the incident by minutes and thankful praying for the families