Uber Driver Killed, Two Navy Sailors Seriously Injured In Escambia County Crash

June 30, 2024

The Florida Highway Patrol said a 60-year-old Uber driver died and two U.S. Navy sailors were seriously injured in a crash Saturday morning in Escambia Count.

FHP said the Uber driver was in a Subaru sedan with two sailors as passengers — a 28-year-old New York man, and a 22-year-old Iowa man — just after 4 a.m.

Troopers said as the Uber was traveling south on Navy Boulevard, a Hyundai driven by a 19-year-old Pensacola woman on Gulf Beach Highway failed to stop at a red light.

“According to multiple witnesses, this driver had a steady red traffic signal which the driver failed to obey,’ FHP Said.

The front of the Hyundai collided with the right side of the Subaru.

The driver of the Subaru was pronounced deceased at the scene. The passengers were both transported by ground ambulance as trauma patients. The driver of the Hyundai was also transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

U.S. Navy command from Pensacola NAS were notified about the sailors.

FHP Traffic Homicide Investigators are continuing their investigation.

File photo.

Comments

13 Responses to “Uber Driver Killed, Two Navy Sailors Seriously Injured In Escambia County Crash”

  1. Rev James Kollin Jr on July 3rd, 2024 8:25 pm

    I am a chaplain for merchant mariners in the ports of NY and NJ and the pastor of a church where Dawson Yeomans ( dad of Kurt) is connnected. It is so sad to hear about his son’s unexpected death. A person doing his best to be a responsible father and husband but cut short by another person’s irresponsibility. I pray for his soul to rest in peace and I honor his love to live and serve. I pray for the at-fault driver to live a life totally changed for the better if not best. I pray for the two passengers to survive and return to serve . I pray for the bereaved family as they grieve . May they find comfort and strength in the good deeds of Kurt and in their faith in the Almighty who suffered and died yet rose again giving hope to all who believe in Him. May the soul of all departed rest in peace. Amen .

  2. RC on July 2nd, 2024 11:30 am

    Thanking our military sailors for your service and prayers for recovery. Also to Kurt, Uber driver you too were providing a service and thank you for your service and sacrifice. I’m so sad for all involved. Sending love to the families.

  3. Carter on July 1st, 2024 11:24 pm

    One of the young men in the accident is my baby brother and this is a very unfortunate situation.. Prayers to the families involved and to the young lady who caused it I hope u learn from your mistakes and fast because someone life was taken.

  4. Stacie on July 1st, 2024 8:34 pm

    I pray for the family’s comfort and for the young man that is still hospitalized. My grandson – the other sailor that was hurt will live. I see the driver’s name was Kurt and I am saddened about the situation. Prayers from my church family and friends.

  5. anne on July 1st, 2024 1:01 am

    4::00 a.m. on Navy Blvd. I would expect that to be the safest time to drive down that street. The woman is way to young to have to live with this situation. Maybe she fell asleep? Sadness for all involved and their families.

  6. Dawson Yeomans on July 1st, 2024 12:05 am

    In a flash I lost my son; his wife lost a love, their children and grandchildren lost one who was guiding their future. Two strangers who were his UBER passengers had made the correct decision in calling for UBER to get them back to the base are now facing very serious injuries. All because one person made stupid decision by running a red light. I pray that all injured will recover. I also pray that the other driver will learn my son’s name (Kurt) and say it often and that it will encourage her to make better decision in the future

  7. Rasheed Jackson on June 30th, 2024 8:19 pm

    Driving is something most of us do on a daily basis. We grow complacent and forget how fast it can turn deadly. Our cars become our safe place, which is evident by the number of people driving while making a video post on their phones. I drive past people every day with their phones on the steering wheel or being held in one hand. Even hands-free phone calls are distracting and should be avoided. I don’t know what caused this accident, but I can with almost absolute certainty say someone was distracted.

  8. boss on June 30th, 2024 2:06 pm

    Seems if the government can require tech companies to keep track of where you go on the phone, it could require them to require phones not to be operatable while moving in vehicles. Gee we did without them while driving for years! Just my thoughts.

  9. Charlotte Bates on June 30th, 2024 11:49 am

    Just like that and your life is over, because someone wasn’t paying attention. Praying for all that were involved.

  10. Rusty Shakleford on June 30th, 2024 11:34 am

    Yet another poor decision by a drunk, stoned, or stupid person which took a life and injured themselves and others. Our highways might as well be considered a war zone anymore. No driving privileges for you if you are convicted.

  11. Karen Matthews on June 30th, 2024 10:55 am

    The Uber driver was my brother. I pray for his passengers and my dear sister in love at this time. Please let this help others to slow down and watch your surroundings. Life really is too short. If it was indeed a drunk driver, I hope she learns from this and gets whatever help she needs. Nothing can bring my brother back, so there is no point in throwing punches. She will have to live with this tragedy for the rest of her life. Rest easy…. See ya when it’s my turn

  12. Lou on June 30th, 2024 8:02 am

    How tragic and life changing for all involved. Prayers.

  13. LAS on June 30th, 2024 5:34 am

    Horrific! Praying for all of the families involved in this accident!

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