Push Continues To Widen Full Length Of Highway 164 Following School Bus And Tractor Crash
May 4, 2024
Authorities say the width of the roadway did not contribute to the crash involving a school bus and tractor Friday afternoon, but there is a ongoing push to widen the rural road.
Just two days before the crash, NorthEscambia.com published a story about the dangerously narrow roadway and a county commissioner’s promise to widen it, supported by the Escambia County School district for student safety.
Friday’s collision happened at the intersection of Highway 164 and Wilma Road just after 4 p.m.
RELATED STORY: Bus, Tractor Crash Near Walnut Hill
The Florida Highway Patrol said both the relatively small antique Ford tractor and the Escambia County School District s were traveling east on Highway 164 when the bus driver attempted to pass the tractor in a passing zone.
“The driver of the tractor failed to yield to traffic when making a left turn onto Wilma Road,” FHP said.
The 47-year-old male tractor operator from McDavid was ejected from the tractor. He was airlifted by AirCare helicopter as a “trauma alert” to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola. There were two dozen students on Escambia County School District bus 12-22 from Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools. A 12-year-old female student was transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation of a minor injury. The bus driver, a 62-year-old female from Century, was not injured.
Highway 164 has been the scene of several near head-on crashes and sideswipes attributed to the narrow roadway. Prior to Friday, Escambia district buses had been involved in three collisions with other motorists on Highway 164 since 2015. Two of those involved mirror-to-mirror collisions with other commercial vehicles, and the third resulted in an overturned pickup truck.
The photograph to the left and just below, both taken Friday afternoon at the school bus crash shows that McDavid Fire Station Squad 9 and an Escambia County EMS ambulance are both wider than the travel lane on Highway 164.
“I’m very sorry to hear about the serious accident on Highway 164,” Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said after learning of Friday’s crash. ” I’m so thankful to hear that no children were seriously injured, and I’m committed to continue working to secure the funding for widening the portions of the road not currently contracted to be improved.”
The Escambia County Commission recently approved a $1.25 million project to widen about 2.16 total miles of Highway 164 that were identified as having the most accidents between May 2018 and May 2013.
“I promise it’s not the completion of the project, only the first phase including the worst area, and I will keep working diligently to secure the funds needed for additional widening of Highway 164 and for other roads which need these type improvements as well,” Barry said recently.
In letters to NorthEscambia.com, Escambia County School Superintendent Keith Leonard and Transportation Director Darlene Hart supported Barry’s efforts but also urged that the entire 11.5 mile length of Highway 164 be widened from McDavid to Walnut Hill.
“We are fortunate that our county is working to widen a stretch of this highway, but it is imperative that the entire length of Highway 164 be updated to accommodate the width of all vehicles to travel safely,” Leonard said.
“Our district school buses practice extreme caution while traveling Highway 164 for the safety of our students while on board,” Leonard added. “It would be in the best interest of all citizens for Highway 164 to be widened to modern day standards.”
“We appreciate the county’s efforts to widen a portion of Highway 164, which is most frequently used. However, we urge them to consider widening the entire length of the road for the safety of our students,” the transportation director wrote.
The newly funded project will widen Highway 164 to 11-foot wide travel lanes two-thirds of a mile east from Highway 97 and a 1.5 mile stretch that is three-quarters of a mile either side of the Pine Barren Road intersection. (See maps below.) Friday’s crash, which was not caused by the road width, is several miles outside the upcoming project limits.
NorthEscambia.com photos and graphics, click to enlarge.
Molino Man Charged With February Homicide
May 4, 2024
A Molino man has been charged in connection with a murder earlier this year in Escambia County.
Alexander George Deloach, 28, was charged with homicide, vehicle theft, marijuana possession, cocaine possession five counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement and fleeing/eluding.
Deloach attempted to flee from deputies but was taken into custody after a PIT maneuver to stop his vehicle near Harbor Square and Breakwater Circle. At one point, according to an arrest report, Deloach accelerated in his vehicle at five deputies, but they were able to quickly get out of the way.
Deloach and D’Angelo Lavan Cook-Humphrey were accused in a February 12 murder on Moore Avenue. Deputies are continuing to search for Cook-Humphrey
Deloach remained in the Escambia County Jail without bond.
379 Students Take Part In Battle Of The Books (With Results, Photo Gallery)
May 4, 2024
Thirty-two Escambia County public schools competed in Battle of the Books on recently at Washington High School.
A total of 84 teams with 379 students competed to see who had the most knowledge of this year’s Battle of the Books titles. Participating students read up to 15 titles from this competition year’s Sunshine State Young Readers and Florida Teens Read book lists. Teams met before, after, and during school with their coaches to discuss the books’ themes, characters, settings, and main events.
For a photo gallery, click here.
The competition included four rounds of fifteen questions each, culminating with a final lightning round.
Winners were:
3rd Grade:
1st Place – Scenic Heights Elementary
Coaches: Janette Calder, Kaci Woodruff, and Ashlee Kinser
Team Members: Thea Woodruff, Ryker Burleson, Arthur Dunford, and Nikolai Wade
2nd Place – Pine Meadow Elementary, D.E.A.R. (Demolishers Evelyn, Allegra, Rhett)
Coaches: Michelle Williams and Cathee Edmunds
Team Members: Allegra McCaw, Evelyn Rowley, and Rhett Edgar
3rd Place – Pleasant Grove Elementary, Mind Readers
Coach: Aaron Foote
Team Members: Eve Perez-McElroy, Jaxson Cruz, Paisley Brown, Soren Dyck, and Becca Terry
4th Grade:
1st Place – McArthur Elementary, The Mighty T’s
Coach: Lori Perkins
Team Members: Ruby MacWhinnie, Boshra Yousef, Joslyn Krantz, Reagan Hillis, and Clay Kerfoot
2nd Place – Ferry Pass Elementary, Summer Knights
Coaches: Laura Hobbs and Kasey Gaines
Team Members: Ariel Vincent, Stella Kroeger, Fabiola Vallecillo-Medina, Isaiah Ray, and Lillian Coates
3rd Place – Molino Park Elementary, The Royal Readers
Coaches: Rachel Gilmore and Becky Hatch
Team Members: Sky Dupree, Sadie Fetsko, Aden Hicks, and Bradley Nelson
5th Grade:
1st Place – Pleasant Grove Elementary, Mind Readers
Coach: Aaron Foote
Team Members: Victoria Montoro, Maycee Forbes, Lily Perez-McElroy, and Ellie Napiorkowski
2nd Place – Bellview Elementary
Coach: Michelle Brown
Team Members: Jasmine Long, Stella Timmons, Justyze Hill, and Paytan Roache’
3rd Place – Beulah Elementary
Coaches: Sherry Roughton and Sara Smith
Team Members: Ryleigh Parker, Olivia Nunn, Emma Nguyen, London Farrior, and Rasha Roberts
Middle School:
1st Place – Brown Barge Middle, Team 1
Coaches: Kristy Imhof and Peggy Hamblen
Team Members: Collin Taylor, Cameron Powell, Carter Murray, Karsyn Webster, and Savannah Henry
2nd Place – Bailey Middle
Coaches: Roberta Wetzel and Linsay Whitley
Team Members: Annabelle Martin, Olivia Wood, and Victorya Fisher
3rd Place – Brown Barge Middle, Team 2
Coaches: Kristy Imhof and Peggy Hamblen
Team Members: Madelyn McShane, Peyton Vestal, Lucas Ramos, Aden Khan, and Kyleigh Dunning
High School:
1st Place – Pine Forest High School, Team 2
Coach: Mary Hangen
Team Members: Olivia Richardson, Catherine Nelson, and Lillien Williams
2nd Place – Pine Forest High School, Team 1
Coach: Mary Hangen
Team Members: Harmony DeRisio, Gianna Penaloza-Jones, and Mariah Saucier
3rd Place – Tate High School
Coach: Maryjane Gardner
Team Members: Sarah Demers, Abby Lynch, Jorja Revels, Reagan Hatcher, and Natalie Concilio
Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
ECSO: Molino Man Kills Himself During SWAT Standoff
May 4, 2024
A Molino man involved with a standoff with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Friday in Ensley took his own life.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s office responded to a disturbance in the 1100 block of West Hope Drive near I-10.
The victim reported that 43-year-old Connie Lee Bonner, Jr. had broken a window and forced his way into the home while armed with an assault rifle.
“Bonner attacked the victim after entering the home, but the victim managed to escape unharmed. Bonner then barricaded himself inside the house and threatened to harm himself and deputies,” the ECSO said in a statement.
The sheriff’s office SWAT team, hostage negotiators, and drone units responded. A warrant affidavit was prepared charging Bonner with armed burglary, battery domestic violence, and criminal mischief.
“After multiple attempts to make contact with Bonner, he did not respond. The SWAT team entered the home and found Bonner deceased in a bedroom from a self-inflicted gunshot wound,” ECSO said.
Deputies said Bonner was arrested in October 2023 for battery strangulation, domestic violence and false imprisonment involving the same victim.
Photo (top) courtesy WEAR TV 3 for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Fitterer Fantastic In 3-1 Wahoos Win
May 4, 2024
Written by Erik Bremer
The Pensacola Blue Wahoos beat the Mississippi Braves 3-1 on Friday night on the strength of a dominant pitching performance from Evan Fitterer.
Fitterer (W, 2-1) completed 7.0 innings for the first time in his Double-A career and allowed only three hits, scattering two singles and a double in a scoreless start. The righty took a no-hitter into the fifth inning for the second start in a row, and got 13 of his 21 outs on the ground.
The Blue Wahoos jumped on Mississippi starter JJ Niekro (L, 1-3) right away in the first inning, scoring all three of their runs with a trio of two-out hits. After Tanner Allen’s leadoff double, Joe Mack brought him home with a double of his own for a 1-0 lead. Bennett Hostetler and Sean Roby followed with RBI singles to give Pensacola a 3-0 edge.
The Braves pitching staff allowed only one hit after the first inning, but Fitterer was razor-sharp. Faced with a jam with runners at the corners and two outs in the seventh, the righty struck out Geraldo Quintero to end his night on a high note.
Austin Roberts (S, 5) allowed an unearned run in the ninth, but locked down his fifth save in as many tries with a hitless frame.
The game was played in a brisk 2 hours and 7 minutes, and marked the 218th managerial win of Kevin Randel’s career to tie Pat Kelly for the most in Blue Wahoos history.
Randel will go for the record as the Blue Wahoos continue their series against the Braves on Saturday evening. First pitch from Trustmark Park is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.
Bus, Tractor Crash Near Walnut Hill
May 3, 2024
A tractor operator was critically injured in a crash with a school bus Friday afternoon near Walnut Hill.
The collision happened at the intersection of Highway 164 and Wilma Road just after 4 p.m The collision pushed the tractor into a ditch. Both vehicles came to rest upright in the ditch.
The 47-year old male tractor operator from McDavid was ejected from the tractor. He was airlifted by AirCare helicopter as a “trauma alert” to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola.
The Florida Highway Patrol said both vehicles were traveling east on Highway 164 when the bus driver attempted to pass the tractor in a passing zone.
“The driver of the tractor failed to yield to traffic when making a left turn onto Wilma Road,” FHP said.
There were two dozen students on Escambia County School District bus 12-22 from Ernest Ward Middle and Northview High schools. A 12-year old female student was transported to Jay Hospital by Escambia County EMS for evaluation of a minor injury. The other students were released to their parents or guardians on scene, and the remainder were to board another bus to continue the trip home. The bus driver, a 62-year old female from Century, was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Reports Detail Allegations Against Century Man That Evaded Capture For Months
May 3, 2024
We are learning more about the allegations against a wanted Century man that eluded capture on several occasions before finally being captured Wednesday.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said 41-year-old Christopher George Pace has outstanding felony warrants for arson, trespassing with property damage and resisting arrest without violence. Two additional counts of resisting were added.
He evaded capture Monday during a manhunt involving dozens of law enforcement officers, police K-9 units and a drone.
The ECSO and K-9s from the Century Correctional Institution and Escambia County Road Prison captured Pace without incident Wednesday morning in a wooded area off Pleasant Hill Road.
According to sheriff’s office reports:
On February 27, Pace allegedly set a fire in a wooded area at the dead end of Sellers Road off West Highway 4. In an incident captured in game camera photos, someone piled a tent and other items onto a deer feeder before they were burned. The fire destroyed $450 worth of property including a hunting blind/tent, a deer feeder, 50 pounds of feed corn, a batter, solar battery charger and an archery target.
Pace was identified as the suspect in the game camera photos by one of his relatives and a deputy.
On March 18 deputies attempted to locate Pace in the wooded area in order to serve an arrest warrant. They spotted him on a trail through a wooded area at the dead end of Pleasant Hill Road, according to a report. They came close enough to him to make eye contact before he ran into the woods. Deputies pursued on foot but lost sight.
Two ECSO K-9s, a K-9 from the Century Correctional Institution, and a drone team were unable to locate him. One ECSO deputy received minor injuries to his knee during the chase.
On April 21, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responding to a suspicious person complaint in the area of Williams Street and West Highway 4. A responded deputy recognized a person walking on Williams Street as Pace. Pace ran into a wooded area when he saw the marked Sheriff’s Office vehicle. The deputy gave chase on foot, but lost Pace. An ECSO K-9 responded but was unable to locate him in the woods. a deputy reportedly tripped on vines and suffered minor injuries.
NorthEscambia.com photos and photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jim Allen Elementary Names April Students Of The Month
May 3, 2024
Jim Allen Elementary School recently named their Students of the Month for April. They are Parker Gregory (pictured left) and Brycen Sigler. Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Jay Edges Northview 7-6 For District Softball Title (With Photo Gallery)
May 3, 2024
The Jay Lady Royals won the District 1-1A championship 7-6 over Northview in a close matchup at Central in Allentown.
The cross-River rivals played to a 6-6 tie in the top of the seventh when Brooklyn Sorrell scored the game-winning run on a single.
For a photo gallery, click to enlarge.
The Royals were first on the scoreboard with a three-run homer from Morgan Barrow.
The Chiefs’ Chloe Ragsdale had a home run to right field to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Ragsdale was 2-4 on the night with two runs and two RBIs; and Mary Clayton Dawson was 2-3 3 with two RBIs to lead Northview at the plate. Jamison Gilman was 2-4 with two runs.
Avery Stuckey, Makayla Golson, Kylee Langham, and Mikayla McAnnally each added one hit for Northview.
Brooklyn Sorrells, Brett Watson, Kaylee Gilbreath, Kylei Martinez, Barrow, and Ella Nelson each added a hit for the Royals.
Jamison Gilman went three and a third innings for Northview, surrendering three hits and two runs as she walked one and had three strikeouts. Mikayla McAnally opened for three and two-thirds innings, allowing three hits and give runs while striking out three and walking two.
Layna Lowery earned the win for Jay in four innings, allowing 10 hits and six runs while striking out two and walking four. Caden Carroll was in the circle for three innings with no hits, no hits, no walks and one strikeout.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Escambia Man Charged With Vehicular Homicide For High Speed 2023 Fatal I-110 Crash
May 3, 2024
An Escambia County man has been charged with vehicular homicide in connection with a 2023 crash on I-110 in Pensacola.
On October 7, 2023, about 2:35 a.m. , a crash involving a 2020 Dodge Charger occurred on I-110 involving A Dodge Charger driven by Jewayne Mykel Floyd killed one of two occupants. The vehicle was traveling north on I-110 when the Floyd lost control south of Airport Boulevard.
The right rear passenger, a 33-year old man from Lewisville, Texas, was pronounced deceased at the scene, and a second passenger was injured. Floyd and the surviving passenger were transported to an area hospital.
Florida Highway Patrol traffic homicide investigators determined the Dodge Charger was traveling between 131 and 146 miles per hour at he time of the crash, causing the vehicle to overturn multiple times into a shallow ditch.
Floyd surrendered Wednesday at the Escambia County Jail and is being held without bond.