FHP Working To Positively Identify Victim Of Fiery Crash Near Century

January 18, 2022

The Florida Highway Patrol is turning to DNA and medical records to make a positive identification following a fiery single vehicle crash west of Century that claimed a life early Tuesday morning.

The crash happened about 5:50 a.m. on West Highway 4 just west of Tedder Road, less than a quarter mile from the Escambia Fire Rescue station in Byrneville.

The silver car was westbound on Highway 4 when it left the roadway and crashed head-on into a large tree about 5:50 a.m. After colliding with the tree, the vehicle became engulfed in fire killing the driver, according to FHP.

FHP has identified a possible family member and contacted that person, but they must await confirmation using DNA and dental records, according to Lt. Jason King. That process may take several days.

The Century and Walnut Hill stations of Escambia Fire Rescue, Escambia County EMS and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the crash.

NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

24 Responses to “FHP Working To Positively Identify Victim Of Fiery Crash Near Century”

  1. William in Beulah on January 24th, 2022 8:31 pm

    To Kevin and Nick, I say thank you for being compassionate people and thinking about others. I couldn’t imagine not stopping and trying to help, your actions speak volumes about the both of you and I hope you can come to terms with what you witnessed and know that you did all that you could do.
    Thank you for being such wonderful citizens, you are becoming a rare breed it seems, something I thought would never happen in Escambia County. We used to be so neighborly with one another and tried to help those struggling, but now it seems like most just want to point fingers whilst being hypocrites and judging everyone else with trying to understand their situation. Bless you both, wish I could take y’all to dinner or something.

  2. kevin on January 20th, 2022 1:59 pm

    Hey Nick, I am the guy that stopped with you, I truly wish there was something we could have done to help this person. Thank you for stopping as well. I’m truly sorry for the family of the driver and I want you to know that the only thing I could do at that point was to pray for your loved one and their family.

  3. James Beek on January 20th, 2022 12:09 am

    Please let’s pray for the person involved and their family. Hug your loved ones and friends. Be nice and kind to others because tomorrow not guaranteed. Always be kind to others.

  4. Deb on January 19th, 2022 7:59 pm

    To Nick and the good Samaritan who tried to assist…Thank You. This was a family member.

  5. David Huie Green on January 19th, 2022 7:41 pm

    REGARDING:
    “vehicles in front of me passed by the crash. We are a COMMUNITY & we can’t be heartless when a person is in need of help”

    Sometimes you help best by getting out of the way.

    Don’t know the details here, just thinking in general.

  6. Dane on January 19th, 2022 12:00 pm

    Let’s leave the speculation and the rhetoric at the door.
    Focus on the prayer the family needs.
    That’s the Chistian thing to do.

  7. mnon on January 19th, 2022 2:36 am

    most roads aren’t too bad if you drive slower, just cause its posted as 55 doesn’t mean you must do 55. If this road is so narrow and horrible seems that most would drive slower. I use to drive it daily in a van sometimes with 50mph gusts during storms… I agree it needs resurfacing but everyone is always quick to blame road conditions. Not speculating what happened, just making an observation. If you are on a road you know is narrow or poorly surfaced, its okay to drive slower. I say we widen it and resurface it so everyone can go ten miles over the limit like 97, then what will the excuses be?

  8. Walnut Hill Resident on January 19th, 2022 1:55 am

    Doris the day a deer jets in front of you and you can miss it then you are talented. Living up here I’m sure we have all had our fair share of dodging animals. It’s just sad that it was a persons life that taken. My prayers are with their family and friends.

  9. Jmd on January 19th, 2022 1:10 am

    Prayers for the families involved. Prayers for those who tried to help.

  10. David on January 19th, 2022 12:55 am

    @ Doris
    You are right.
    The answer is everyone is different in every aspect of life.
    That is the factor.

  11. Carl on January 19th, 2022 12:50 am

    Prayers to the one lost.
    Also for the family of this poor soul when they find out and make the notification.
    Prayers sincerely and God Bless

  12. Nick on January 18th, 2022 8:51 pm

    I’m the person who stopped & called 911 after attempting to open the vehicle but it was already ablaze. I’m thankful for the Good Samaritan that stayed & helped me because 5 or 6 cars just rode by & 4 vehicles in front of me passed by the crash. We are a COMMUNITY & we can’t be heartless when a person is in need of help

  13. Wilson on January 18th, 2022 8:34 pm

    This is so sad to hear. I agree with Puddin. I travel this road often in the evening and early morning. I have almost hit several deer in this area multiple times. It has become so frequent that I started making a habit of slowing down when I drive in this area. Praying for the family.

  14. Nick on January 18th, 2022 7:59 pm

    Rickey, I would have to agree. As a resident just around the corner, 4A is even worse. These roads are in terrible shape and 4A is way to narrow. The fatalities on these two roads in the past few years has been unbelievable. Where this accident happened is a bad dip in the road going into that curb. So sorry for the family and friends of the deceased.

  15. JustSaying on January 18th, 2022 7:07 pm

    Absolutely horrible! We have deer through here all the time. And coming up the hill at Killam Rd at the curve can be a terrible spot anyway, live right here. Prayers for the family!

  16. Rusty on January 18th, 2022 6:41 pm

    I hope that person was unconcious

  17. Willene on January 18th, 2022 6:29 pm

    Been praying for whoever her or his family. Praying for God’s comfort and strength in all the days ahead of them.

  18. Rickey on January 18th, 2022 6:18 pm

    We that live and drive highway 4daily need to start attending county meetings and demand that highway 4 be resurfaced Immediately. I’ve been expecting this type accident. This road is in Horrible shape

  19. Susie on January 18th, 2022 3:08 pm

    We can all only speculate what happened. Regardless, the fear alone of what this person experienced is horrifying. Bless their heart. God rest their soul and bless the family, as well.

  20. Debbie on January 18th, 2022 2:23 pm

    My heart goes out to the family of the person who lost their life What horrible news to receive about a loved one . It really doesn’t matter if it was a deer or an over correction or what. The only thing that matters is their loved one won’t be coming home this evening . To the family… I’m so very sorry

  21. doris m weber on January 18th, 2022 12:57 pm

    I must differ with everyone of you. We all travel that road and, like you, I’ve avoided deer, turtle, coyote and even a gator for years. There must be another factor here.

  22. unknown on January 18th, 2022 11:58 am

    I travel Hwy 4 everyday in the mornings, like Puddin stated it’s probably a deer or another animal that the driver tried to dodge that’s at fault. It’s so sad to hear of this tragic death, stay safe!

  23. Hwy 4 Resident on January 18th, 2022 10:39 am

    I live on Hwy 4 and have my entire life, this is a dangerous road in the early mornings, so sad to read about this. Prayers for the family and friends of those who affected. As Puddin stated there was more than likely a deer, all the woods and fields mixed with this recent cold weather would not surprise me.

  24. Puddin on January 18th, 2022 8:55 am

    So sad. No idea what happened but I travel that road every day. I’d bet they were dodge a deer. Or possibly over corrected when the tire went off the side of that Too narrow road.

    Prayers for the family.