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.
Ivan Todd ‘Gator’ Burkett
April 5, 2023
Ivan Todd “Gator” Burkett passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at his home in Century, FL. He was born January 10, 1962, in Century, FL. Todd was a resident of Century, but he traveled most of the country as an I & E Technician. He had a wild, adventurous spirit that we all knew and couldn’t help but respect – he enjoyed the life he lived. His friends called him Gator and his close family called him Pops. Todd enjoyed and loved all outdoor activities such as fishing, riding the river, golfing, and hunting. He was a Florida Gator fan and he loved Nascar racing, especially the Earnhardt family. Todd was a Jack-of-all-Trades. He was a smart man that could do anything he wanted.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carrie B. (Mary Lois Ray) Burkett; one sister, Donna Jo Way and one brother, Regi Burkett.
Ivan is survived by one son, Chad (Jacqueline) Burkett, of Flomaton, AL; two brothers, Roger (Katie) Burkett, of Century, FL, and Trent (Marjorie) Burkett of Troy, AL; two grandchildren, Kinsley Burkett and Jaxton Burkett; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
A memorial visitation will be held at Faith Chapel North Tuesday, April 11, 2023 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m.
Walnut Hill Man Charged With Allegedly Hitting Juvenile Girl With A Rubber Hose
April 4, 2023
A Walnut Hill man has been charged with allegedly beating a juvenile female with a rubber hose.
Matthew Connor Williams, 32, was charged with felony child abuse without great bodily harm domestic violence related. He was released from the Escambia County Jail Tuesday night on a $15,000 bond.
The victim told deputies that she became angry during an argument with her mother over attending a gender reveal party, and the victim said she punched a hole in the wall of her room, according to an arrest report. The victim said she heard Williams enter the residence slamming doors, at which time she knew he on his way to her. She stated that she sat on her bed with a knife in her hand for protection but at no time did she threaten Williams with the knife, the report continues. Before Williams entered her room, she started recording a video with her phone that was hidden under her pillow.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the video did not show anything that took place, but it had audio with a girl screaming and “what sounded like her being hit with an object”. A male voice then said “let go of the hose and ‘I will beat you every day’,” the arrest report states.
Williams told deputies that the girl had been arguing with her mother and punched holes in her wall. She stated that Williams entered her room to find her holding a knife, at which time he struck multiple times with a rubber hose because of the knife.
Deputies noted multiple bruises and welts on the girl’s legs and one on her wrist, ranging from four to eight inches long and consistent with being struck by a rubber hose, ECSO said.
Deputies located the hose, which the girl confirmed was the one used in the alleged beating, and it was seized as evidence.
Fields of Faith: Community Worship Service Wednesday Night At Northview
April 4, 2023
Northview High School’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes will host their Fields of Faith at Northview High School Wednesday night at 6:30 in Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium.
Admission is free; the public is encouraged to attend.
Fields of Faith is a national student-led initiative. “Students invite, pray for, share with, and challenge their peers to read the Bible and follow Jesus Christ. An athletic field provides a neutral, rally point where a community can come together,” according to national organizers.
Pictured: Tommy Weaver Memorial Stadium in Bratt. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry To Host Cantonment Town Hall
April 4, 2023
Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry will host a town hall meeting on Monday, April 10 at 5 p.m.
This is an open forum event and residents of District 5 are invited and encouraged to attend. County staff will be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents.
The Langley Bell 4-H Center is located at 3730 Stefani Road in Cantonment
Pictured. Escambia County District 5 Commissioner Steven Barry during a 2022 town hall meeting at the Langley Bell 4-H Center in Cantonment. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Byrneville Elementary School Names Students Of The Month
April 4, 2023
Byrneville Elementary School recently named their February Students of the Month.
They are:
- Kindergarten: Grace Woods and Rebecca Cooley
- 1st Grade: Kennedi Lett
- 2nd Grade: Marley Schoonover and Chaplin Grassia
- 3rd Grade: Myles Sellers and Adri’Yanna Elliott
- 4th Grade: Patton Amos and Kaisen Robbins
- 5th Grade: Dean Marks and Layla Schoonover
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Century Man Sentenced For Stealing Motorcycle From Molino Store
April 4, 2023
A Century man has been sentenced to nearly a year in jail for stealing a motorcycle from the Molino Tom Thumb.
David Allen Cormany, 56, was convicted by an Escambia County jury of grand theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to 11 months and 15 days in the county jail followed by 24 months probation.
In February 2022, the victim told the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office that his 2021 Harley-Davidson motorcycle broke down at the Tom Thumb at Highway 29 and Highway 97 in Molino. He said he locked the forks, left it in gear and took the key.
A deputy immediately recognized Cormany on surveillance video. Cormany and an unidentified man allegedly picked up and loaded the motorcycle on a utility trailer behind Cormany’s Jeep, according to an arrest report. The deputy had seen Cormany driving a jeep of the same color pulling a utility trailer about a week before the incident.
Tate Defeats South Warren, Kentucky, 6-5
April 4, 2023
The Tate Aggies defeated South Warren, Kentucky, 6-5 Monday night at Tate.
Kate Balagbagan went five and a third innings for Tate, allowing four runs and eight hits while striking out one. Jordan Smith was in for one and two-thirds of an inning in relief, giving up two hits and one run while striking out three.
Kara Wine went 3-3 for the Aggies including a home run in the third. Lacy Wilson was 3-3, Blakely Campbell was 2-3, and Olivea Latner added a hit for Tate.
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Partly Sunny And Warm Tuesday; Next Rain Chance Arrives Thursday
April 4, 2023
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Tuesday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday Night: Patchy fog after 1am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 68. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 84. South wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm after midnight.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight.
Saturday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 74.
Saturday Night: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59.
Sunday: A 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72.
Sunday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.
Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 77.
Escambia County Gun Violence Roundtable Will Be Held This Evening
April 4, 2023
Sheriff Chip Simmons will host an Escambia County gun violence roundtable this evening.
The event will take place Tuesday, April 4 at the Brownsville Community Center at 3200 West Desoto Street beginning at 5:30 p.m. Public comments will be heard until 6 p.m., followed by the roundtable discussion. Topics are scheduled to include gun violence in Escambia County and the solutions and strategies needed to create a long term plan of action.
For more information, contact Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Community Relations Neighborhood Specialist Ronnie Rivera at (850) 436-9417.