Sentencing Delayed For Cantonment Man Convicted Of Hit And Run That Killed One Juvenile, Injured Another

August 14, 2021

Scheduled sentencing was delayed Friday for a Cantonment man that hit two juveniles with his SUV last year on Quintette Road, killing one of them.

Robert William Etheridge II, 59, was found guilty on July 8 of one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury. He faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.

Sentencing was delayed after the withdrawal of Etheridge’s attorney. Judge Jennie Kinsey granted the motion and provided Etheridge with time to find a new attorney.

He’s expected to be back in court on September 3, and a sentencing date may be set at that time.

About 8 p.m. on April 6, 2020, 12-year old Hailey Locke and 13-year old Rylee Simmons, both students at Ransom Middle School, were on Quintette Road approaching Carrington Lake Boulevard when they were struck by a Ford Escape driven by Etheridge. Troopers said he fled the scene and called the FHP about 24 minutes later to say he thought he had hit a deer.

The windshield was cracked in the crash, but not enough to obscure the driver’s view, according to an arrest report. The area in which the collision occurred was lit with multiple overhead lights, the weather was clear and there was a full moon, FHP said.

When law enforcement responded to his home, Etheridge showed signs of intoxication. The jury determined by their verdict that Etheridge knew, or should have known, that he had collided with people and left the scene of the crash.

Rylee was removed from a life support a little over a week later after his organs were donated.

Pictured top: Rylee Simmons, 13. Photo provided by family for NorthEscambia.com. Pictured below: The crash scene on April 6, 2020. NorthEscambia.com photos.

Comments

11 Responses to “Sentencing Delayed For Cantonment Man Convicted Of Hit And Run That Killed One Juvenile, Injured Another”

  1. Dylan on September 7th, 2021 8:45 pm

    @Paul Moylan Gerow, he can be the nicest guy in the world but a closer look at his driving record accounts for 20+ traffic violations. This man is clearly a danger on the roadways. He needs the maximum penalty and his driver’s license permanently revoked (if he ever gets out).

  2. William 2 on August 16th, 2021 2:07 pm

    Maybe, car manufacturers should start implementing features into all vehicles that will stop or impede impaired driving. Why not have a breathalyzer in every vehicle, as well as something that test for drugs? It’s a solution to the problem, but I’m willing to bet that the majority of society would be against such things, because this is a bigger problem than people want to accept.

  3. Dewayne on August 15th, 2021 10:39 am

    It is sad where all the time in the media you see the drunk driving issues,deaths,and families being torn apart. What ever we are doing to stop this is definitely not working.
    Day after day people still, and will keep doing this and we will read about it or worse be victims. I wish I had the answer to stop it 100%.
    This is a nationwide issue,not a local issue.
    Wished to God I had that answer..sincerely

  4. David Huie Green on August 14th, 2021 10:45 pm

    REGARDING:
    “He is one of the nicest fellas that you could meet.”

    Is it better or worse to be killed by a nice fella who decided to drive around after impairing his driving abilities with drugs such as alcohol? Drinking is personal until it affects others.

    It is good I am not a judge. Weighing the freedom of nice fellas versus the lives they might take in the future would be a heavy burden. I doubt he meant to hurt anyone. He just didn’t mean to NOT hurt them.

    David for better people, wise judges, self-driving cars

  5. Paul Moylan Gerow on August 14th, 2021 6:29 pm

    Just for the record for those that want bash this man. I know Bob and at one time was a member of his family ( A good Family) by marriage. He is one of the nicest fellas that you could meet. His heart is broken too along with his family and the victims families. Instead of wishing the maximum penalty or saying he is trash, why not just pray for some peace for all involved, and that includes many family members and friends.

  6. Rasheed Jackson on August 14th, 2021 5:40 pm

    Prayers for this child’s family.. I can not imagine the pain this family has suffered and will continue to suffer. 30 years is not enough.

  7. IDK on August 14th, 2021 4:32 pm

    @ensley boy
    Because you are legally entitled to competent representation at sentencing.

    The judge and state attorney agreed that case law required it, the previous attorney requested to withdraw from the case, and an agreement was reached for a continuance.

  8. alan on August 14th, 2021 2:48 pm

    @ ensley boy. Probably something to do with that pesky 6th amendment to the constitution, which states in part “….to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense”.

  9. ensley boy on August 14th, 2021 9:54 am

    Why would one need an Attorney after you have been found guilty and are about to be sentenced?

  10. Maximum on August 14th, 2021 9:04 am

    I hope this man gets the maximum sentence.

  11. JTV on August 14th, 2021 6:26 am

    Give this trash the maximum

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News