Our Investigation Reveals More Details About Highway 29 Crash That Claimed Northview Senior

April 5, 2023

It’s been over two weeks since a wrong way driver caused a wreck on Highway 29 near Quintette Road that claimed that driver, along with the life of a vibrant Northview High School senior.

The wrong way driver’s vehicle burned following the crash at 12:41 a.m. March 17. According to Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Jason King, the driver has not yet been positively identified by investigators due to the fire. It’s not known how long a positive identification will take. He said drivers are not positively identified by a tag number  or vehicle identification number (VIN), because there’s no way to know the vehicle owner was the person behind the wheel. Positive identification,, he said, can take time.

The young woman  killed by the at-fault has been identified as 18-year old  Kara Santorelli of Molino. She was set to attend prom last Saturday night and graduate in May from Northview. Instead, her memorial service was held at sunrise March 25 on Pensacola Beach. Northview honored her by planting a tree in her memory and naming her prom queen last Saturday night.

In the days following the wreck, NorthEscambia.com learned that a 911 caller reported the wrong way driver in Molino just moments before the collision. But there was no time for anyone to stop the driver.

Toxicology results are not back yet on the wrong way driver, so it’s important to note that troopers don’t know if they were under the influence of alcohol or any substance whatsoever. FHP did confirm to us that the vehicle did not leave a lounge that is located about a mile and half north of the crash scene.

“We know it was a wrong way driver; they had no association with the bar in question,” King said.

Our investigation found that the driver was first reported to be headed southbound in the northbound lanes a few miles further north.

For this story, NorthEscambia.com analyzed information from Escambia County Fire, EMS and Emergency Communications; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and from realtime audio recordings of the emergency radio traffic from Escambia County Fire and EMS.

While not graphic in nature, we must warn you that some readers may find the following details disturbing.

MARCH 17 TIMELINE

12:36 a.m. — Escambia County 911 received the first call reporting a wrong way driver headed south in the northbound lanes of Highway 29. As is protocol, Escambia County Emergency Communications, which dispatches only fire and EMS, transferred the call to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

12:40 a.m. — The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office takes the information from the caller and dispatches deputies to the wrong way driver last reported on Highway 29 at Molino Road.

12:40 a.m. — Escambia County 911 received their first call reporting a head-on crash at the intersection of North Highway 29 and West Quintette Road.

12:41 a.m. — Multiple Escambia County Fire Rescue stations and Escambia County EMS were dispatched to the crash. ECSO was already on the way due to the vehicle report. Initially, one ambulance was dispatched, along with the Molino, Cantonment and Ensley stations of Escambia County Fire Rescue and fire department supervisors.

12:46 a.m. — After traveling almost three miles north on Highway 29, the first fire truck was on scene. Engine 4 from Cantonment, arrived at 12:46 a.m. Engine 4 confirmed a fully involved vehicle fire in what was later determined to be the wrong-way vehicle.

12:49 a.m. — LifeFlight was dispatched to the scene, but was later canceled.

12:50 a.m. — The first Escambia County EMS unit arrived on scene.

RADIO TRAFFIC

Fire tones sound at 12:41 a.m.

“Head on collision. Possible entrapment, vehicle on fire, Highway 29 and West Quintette Road.”

“How many calls have you got on the vehicle fire,” Engine 4, front Cantonment, asks the dispatcher.

“I believe we have gotten multiple calls at this point in time. We have been receiving calls about a wrong way vehicle. This is going to be the same one going the wrong direction. Head-on collision. We are unsure if someone is inside the vehicle. We are checking on a helicopter,” the dispatcher replies. “EMS is right behind you.”

Engine 9 from the McDavid fire station was then added to the call, about a minute after the initial dispatch.

“Engine 4 arriving on scene, confirming we have a working vehicle fire, stretching a bumper line.” A bumper line is a firehose on the front of the truck, literally on the bumper, that is quickly deployable. “Establishing 29 command. I will advise on entrapment.”

Moments later Engine 4 advises, “Confirming we’ve got people in the car that’s on fire, and we’ve got heavy entrapment on the other vehicle as well.”

Squad 3, ECFR’s Special Operations team, is added to the call to assist.

LifeFlight lifts from Pensacola, responding to the scene. Firefighters state that they believe there was one person in burned, wrong way vehicle, and confirm that that person is a fatality. They advise there was only the single occupant in the second vehicle.

Soon, LifeFlight is canceled because there are no patients for transport.

We will continue to follow this story with any available updates.

NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

9 Responses to “Our Investigation Reveals More Details About Highway 29 Crash That Claimed Northview Senior”

  1. Debra Strickler on August 12th, 2023 1:08 am

    This is my granddaughter no closure⅞

  2. Koa2019 on April 6th, 2023 1:09 am

    Highway 29 is so dark. Praying for all of the families as they face the difficult days ahead

  3. Tammy on April 6th, 2023 12:41 am

    My heart goes out to the families! I have children that attend Northview and also played basketball with this beautiful soul …My condolences to the family my heart just breaks I’ve been down this same road before ..Prayers to the family

  4. Kathy R on April 5th, 2023 10:38 pm

    It’s just so incredibly sad. I’m sure all of us in this community look at the site of the crash and have so many feelings and emotions. I did not know Kara, I wish I had. My heart just absolutely breaks for her family and those who knew her. I think closure on knowing what happened may help us all. I appreciate the update. Just wish with all my heart it could change the outcome.

  5. mq on April 5th, 2023 12:19 pm

    So Sad.

    I hope the identity of the other person
    Is found out soon.
    Eventhough they were at fault, the family needs closure.

  6. Doris Emmons on April 5th, 2023 11:57 am

    That is a long way for a vehicle to travel,from Molino road to the final crash. I was relieved to learn they wasn’t coming from the bar. The person had to be new to this area to travel that far the wrong way,in my opinion. Prayers for the family. Such a tragedy.
    Doris Emmons

  7. Wondering on April 5th, 2023 11:46 am

    Such a tragedy!
    I have always wondered why there isn’t any “Wrong Way” signs on Highway 29. Any other road with a median has them everywhere.

  8. John Bone Jones on April 5th, 2023 9:56 am

    ughhh. heart wrenching and I feel for the family and everyone involved. life can be tough but at least we get to live it for a brief moment. we all have to meet our maker at some point, live a good life while you’re here.

  9. EMD on April 5th, 2023 9:06 am

    Thanks for the follow up. This is just too sad for words. Condolences to all affected by this terrible tragedy.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News