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Teen Killed In Highway 29, Highway 196 Crash
January 27, 2024
A teen was killed in a crash involving a SUV and semi-truck Friday night near Molino.
A 17-year old male from Arizona in a Kia Soul was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. At least two other people in the Kia were reportedly injured.
The Florida Highway Patrol said the driver of the Kia Soul, a 16-year old from Pensacola, was traveling eastbound on Highway 196 when she stopped at the stop sign at Highway 29 but failed to yield to an oncoming semi-truck. The driver and a 16-year old passenger from Gulf Breeze were seriously injured.
The crash happened just before 9 p.m. on Highway 29 near Highway 196. Both vehicles left the roadway and came to rest in the woodline. The semi truck hit a utility pole, bringing power lines down across the truck’s trailer. Florida Power & Light reported that nearly 200 customers lost power as a result.
The truck driver was not injured.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Comments
52 Responses to “Teen Killed In Highway 29, Highway 196 Crash”
Prayers to all the Familys of loss of loved ones.
Very sorry for the loss. That being said ive used this intersection 45 yrs safely & so can everyone else. Drivers are dangerous period
Regardless of what the Attorney ads say, there are NO winners in these situations.
All involved deserve our love, our best. Who among us wasn’t young and foolish, did things we didn’t think would matter, cheated death a thousand times without a care?
Who among us doesn’t take our eyes off the road occasionally, but escape tragedy without even knowing it?
May God rain down comfort on those left behind and may He welcome home, the souls lost in this tragedy.
Our Condolences to all the family and friends of this sweet young man and to all involved in this horrific accident, the driver of the truck as well. All lives will be forever changed. Praying in the name of Jesus.
My Condolences to all the family and friends of this sweet young man and to all involved in this horrific accident, the driver of the truck as well. All lives will be forever changed. Praying in the name of Jesus.
Its so sad, in so many ways, a loss of a life, children in the hospital, and people blame cars and trucks for their lack of attention. If you are behind a steering wheel of a car or truck weighing over 3 tons, and not paying attention, its not everybody else fault,. Its just like people blaming leaving children in a hot car because they forgot, to much blaming others for your self mistakes!!!!!!
When you approach that side of the intersection, the hill makes it difficult to see what you’re approaching. The stop sign on that side should be lighted and flashing. If you aren’t paying attention like some teenagers aren’t (I know from no so distant experience) it can be easily missed and before you know it you’re in the intersection.
All this talk about needing a traffic light , lights anywhere are only a good as the drivers. At the Molino road intersection there’s a light but we still have accidents there, same for Hwy 97 and Hwy 29 but will still have accidents. Lights are not always the solution, changing one’s driving behavior is. And no it’s not the dollar general at Molino causing accidents either . Just like sidewalks there only good if pedestrians use them. So stop blaming everything on an intersection. I think if this intersection was lit up on all four corners it would make a world of difference.
@JB you are wrong the rumble strips are still at this intersection. And from what I seen at the crash sight , it doesn’t look like the car even stopped at the stop sign but rather drive right through it into the path of the truck. Very very sad and tragic situation. I hope god touches all involved.
I live just south of the wreck site and knew something happened when our lights went out. We then heard the sirens and saw the lights. Began praying for all involved. Still praying. As a mother of two and grandmother of two I cannot imagine what these families are going through.
Ms. Stone, I attend Marcus Pointe Baptist Church & know some friends of your children there. We are & will be lifting you all up in prayer. May God comfort you & your family in the loss of your precious son, Bradley. May you find Jesus Christ to be your kindness friend, the sweetest comforter, & the everlasting Savior.
To Bradleys Family ..I am so sorry for your loss and I Pray that you can find Peace in knowing He is with the Angels now
@ Krystal Stone I’m so very sorry for the loss of your son Bradley. I had the pleasure on knowing him through Boy Scouts in Mesa Arizona. He was the kindest, sweet and caring young man. It was a pleasure knowing him and seeing the bond he had with his Grandma. I’m keeping you all in my thoughts.
I’m praying for the families of all involved, both drivers. Though I don’t know all the details of the wreck, I came here to say that there used to be rumble strips on the road on Hwy 196 as you approached hwy 29, then they were gone. The same at the stop sign at Jack’s Branch Road where it meets Hwy 196. Why are the rumble strips gone? How did that come about? Can a flashing red light be added to the top of the stop signs? Couldn’t “stop ahead” be painted on the lane approaching these areas? Too many fatal and severe accidents have occurred at these locations. I’ve even seen some places where the rim of the stop sign was lighted with flashing lights.
Praying
We don’t need more traffic lights. We need better drivers.
Prayers for the families as they face the difficult days ahead.
I don’t like to see Hwy 29 filled up with stop lights because it will take even longer to get to and from work, howeverI, if it would save a life then I would gladly sit there and wait. These people are right, there needs to be a stoplight at that intersection. Look at the intersection 2 miles north at Hwy29 and Molino Road. Ever since they removed the yellow and the red blinking lights and put up Stop signals and put in designated turn lanes it is much safer than before.
I am devastated by this horrific accident. I don’t even have words, I can’t begin to say how deeply sorrowful I am for the two injured and the family of the young man who lost his life. one more reminder that an instant, one mistake can cost everything.
I know incidents like this happen. I know many teens attending this very high school who lost their life, and many on the stretch of Hwy 29 that runs out into Molino where the speed limit changes.
I never once thought that this driver would be involved in an accident such as this, never in a million years would I expect it. I truly believe that the worst things happen to the best of people.
i’m so very sorry for the loss of bradley. being the same age as him hurts even more. wishing his family an ample amount of love and support through this difficult time. LLB
Hey you folks on here wanting a light at the intersection, it won’t stop stupidity. Still have wrecks at Atmore cutoff…97/Hwy 29
To Bradley’s mother we stopped last night and were there with them until ambulances arrived we’re so very sorry for your loss…….and are praying for you and your family…
So sorry for the loss of your son pray the injured to be alright that as a lot of other intersections is a bad one it does have the straps both east and west bound I think after the change that was made to it it is worse now you have no access lane especially going north really need lights at these intersections light cost cheap compared to a life or someone being injured they have the money got a just got alot more from the deep water horizon saw it on the news
@Krystal Stone,I am so very sorry for the loss of your precious son…❤️❤️ and thank you for expressing yourself beautifully…
I have put your request Under The Precious Blood of Jesus Christ ❤️❤️
Another terribly designed intersection. There are no acceleration lanes for north or south bound. People pulling out from 196 to merge think they have room to merge. They end up pulling into the path of north or southbound traffic. Not the first fatality, and unfortunately won’t be the last. Shame on DOT.
Sad that this happened.. but also a light won’t make a difference as they haven’t at any other intersection.. they have the rumble strips before the stop signs to warn you already.. sad is that more homes will be built at that corner and cause even more traffic issues.. people just need to take the time to go across.. blessings to all the families involved
It wasn’t an accident it was a collision. The word accident infers no fault. When two vehicles attempt to occupy the same space simultaneously at least one party is negligent.
I’m the mother of the young boy who died. Thank you to everyone posting on here your support and prayers. Our family is devastated by the loss of our son. Bradley Ellertson was a beautiful 17-year-old boy attending Tate high school. He had the best spirit, the best laugh. He was kind to his younger siblings, and helped me with my dad who has dementia. He always called his grandparents and got good grades. He never got into trouble. He had a big smile and belly laugh. He loved to have fun. There wasn’t a tree he wouldn’t climb or body of water he wouldn’t jump into. These young kids had gone to bass pro shop and we’re going to go buy a new pair of boots for Bradley. It seems as though God takes the purest souls early. Please pray for my family as the pain of losing my boy is unbearable. Let’s hope the county puts a light at that intersection.
A light isn’t going to help if people aren’t paying attention or looking at their phones! It hasn’t helped at Molino Rd or 97 (Atmore cutoff). Road strips that rattle your teeth is what’s needed to get their attention and they need to be maintained!!!! Not as expensive as a light! The most important thing is pay ATTENTION!!! Vehicular manslaughter will follow you for a long time! It’s a harsh reminder. Also there is the need for a more “PRESNT” law enforcement for the speeding on Hwy 29 and Hwy 97!
I LOVE YOU NEPHEW!! You will be missed BaBa.
We know you’re with The Most High God our Lord Jesus Christ!
You were too good for this world. I take comfort in knowing you are in a better place!
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH. Words are not enough! Be seeing you soon BaBa.
What good would a light do at the 196 and hwy 29 intersection with a blind hill in the northbound lane? Too many people going north won’t stop in time. Especially a loaded semi truck.
Wait till the coffee shop starts up on the east side there. People be making UTURNS in. Front of ramger station and again at 196 !!!!!
Prayers and many hugs for the family of this young boy. Also please let
all those involved in accident heal quickly and I pray full recovery for all of them.
Yes we do need lights at Hwy 29 and 196 , but also Hwy 29 and
Neal Rd. Everyone needs to slow down and think twice..
Heard the crash from home and knew exactly what it was. We have heard many from a half a mile away over 40 yrs. In ‘91 one in particular was my dad & myself. Overall this intersection doesn’t have a bad view from any angle but you really have to pay attention. Sometimes if it’s a busy time of day several folks coming from DG heading south actually turn north to the first median. Prayers for everyone involved in this collision and affected family. One passing away is definitely one too many. It could be any of us.
Donna, it says the trucker was not injured.
Condolences and prayers for all involved. I have to cross this intersection frequently pulling horse and farm trailers. Its so dangerous! There is not enough room to fit my rig in the center. Waiting for an opening to get all the way across is really difficult. Please lets all work together to encourage our county government to fix this problem ASAP!
The problem with that intersection is the drivers on 196 who think they can beat traffic going 70 down 29. 99% of the wrecks there are due to 196 drivers pulling out in front of someone because they either don’t stop at all or think they can get across fast enough without getting hit. Just like the landscaping truck that pulled out in front of my daughter. He tried to cross all 4 lanes knowing she was coming and she was unable to avoid him. This is terrible for the young man who died and his friends who are injured. Also for the truck driver who now has to cope with the fact that a child died in that accident. Parents and the state need to do better when it comes to teaching our youth how to drive.
I pass by earlier an they were pulling semi out of woods.so sad to think another lost life.i pray for truck driver to.im sure he is in shock.hod bless all the families.they need a red light so bad.to many people on the road now not to have one.
Put in a damn Light. Prayers and condolences out to family. Too young
The reason is because people do not stop at the stop sign. They start looking and try running all the way across all the lanes of traffic. I have had to slam on brakes several times because of people not stopping at the stop sign. People take their own lives in their own hands when they do stupid stuff. The stop signs are there for a reason. People needs to slow down in life and pay attention. I pray for the family of the lost boy that God gives them peace and comfort. I pray the trucker is ok. Nothing is said about him which is a shame.
Growing has its pain. However there are unfortunately terrible wrecks at this intersection….drivers are distracted…drivers drive way to fast. Many drivers drive it like they are the only ones using that road. Drive defensive on this highway…..many improvements have been made but human error can’t be stopped. So sorry for the loss of this young teen. Prayers the other injured recover fully.
Local Res: it is not the county’s fault for the wrecks. It is distracted driving. Thousands of people go down these same roads everyday with no issues. We have to start paying more attention when we are driving, lives are at stake. I pray for that teens family and the others involved.
@local Res: don’t blame the road simply because you don’t know exactly what happened !! You have only an opinion of what you think and a very good possibility you are wrong!!!granted it sad that this has happened I agree but let’s get all the facts before we jump ti judgement!!!
I foresee a traffic light ……… That hill and the volume of traffic and at times hard to see with someone turning at night.
There should also be those rumble strips east bound on 196 before 29 as that intersection at night will sneak up on ya
I drive past there almost every day with a toddler in a car seat. I have almost been hit by traffic crossing 29 without paying attention multiple times. Every time I drive by there I get extremely uncomfortable. It’s appalling that nothing is being done about this.
Dollar General is not the problem with the accidents along Highway 29. It is excessive speed and distracted drivers that cause most accidents. I did not see a cause for the accident, all we know a young life was taken and a couple were injured. Don’t know why everyone involved were not killed, I passed that last night and it looked terrible. Yes , may the Lord have mercy on the families who have to suffer through this mess.
As much as I hate to see it, I was just saying last night how much I hate that intersection and it needed a red light. Thats a dangerous intersection for young kids with inexperience and for people who truly don’t pay attention. Prayers to the young man’s family
So sad, is it a State Problem or a County problem? I think they are State Highways however the county supervisors announce paving schedules etc. That intersection is a pure HELL HOLE.!!! We live up here so you get use to squared off turning lanes that take you over manhole covers in turning lanes. At night it is pitch dark with no large signs showing the crossroad, highway 196. Visitors that come to see us all say that’s one big mess of an intersection..
Just a little common since, put some lights up to illuminate the whole intersection if your not going to do anything else. It would at least let the first responders find the bodies faster in the future. WHAT A MESS !!!
People fly through there so fast that when the light turns red they don’t have time to stop without slamming on the brakes. It doesn’t seem to stay yellow for very long.
@ local res
the dollar store, the intersection does not cause vehicle crashes. people operating the vehicles are the only thing responsible for such crashes. the growth of the community had nothing to do with the incident. put the blame where it belongs, on the drivers
We need a light at this intersection please.
Too many wrecks have happened at this intersection and at the Molino crossroads intersection. With the recent addition of an unwanted Dollar General at 196 and 29 they have increased the risks of more accidents and terrible loss of life and injury. Who cares? Obviously not our county commissioners that keep approving growth without infrastructure. Was a sadly preventable loss of a young life this was? How many more? My prayers to the family of this young person.
LORD have mercy. CHRIST have mercy. Christ graciously hear us. I’m so saddened by this loss.