Published on Saturday, February 26, 2005
in the Pensacola News-Journal

Traffic deaths on the rise

Traffic fatalities continue to spiral in Escambia County as a Molino woman became the latest victim following a collision and rollover along U.S. 29.

Frances Hart, 54, died Thursday night at West Florida Hospital after colliding with a truck driven by an Escambia County road prison employee. The crash sent Hart's 1998 Jeep sport utility vehicle careening into an embankment, overturning twice, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.

Hart's death extended the rising number of fatalities on Escambia County roadways. According to FHP and Pensacola Police statistics, 11 people have died in Escambia County crashes so far this year, including a fatal motorcycle crash Feb. 18 inside the Pensacola city limits.

Two deaths have occurred this year on Santa Rosa County roads, FHP figures show.

Thursday's rush-hour crash happened on a well-traveled stretch of U.S. 29.

"We can't point to any particular trend in the rise in traffic fatalities," said Lt. Steve Preston, FHP spokesman. "We're seeing a lot more crashes. We have a lot more vehicles on the roadway."

There has been an average 35 percent increase in traffic crashes every month since Hurricane Ivan struck last September, Preston said. That likely stems from increased traffic congestion, he added.

Troopers said Hart's SUV was traveling south on U.S. 29 when she tried to turn left onto Barrineau Park Road from the left-turn lane.

Steven Blanton, 37, of Walnut Hill was driving north on U.S. 29 when Hart's Jeep turned into the path of his 2001 Ford F-150 pickup, troopers said. The collision sent both vehicles into the shoulder of the road. Hart's Jeep went into an embankment and overturned twice.

She was taken by Baptist LifeFlight helicopter to West Florida Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Blanton, a maintenance supervisor for the Escambia County road prison, was driving home from work when the crash occurred, said Sonya Smith, Escambia County spokeswoman.

Blanton was treated at West Florida Hospital and released. He was recuperating at home Friday, Smith said.

Hart's death occurred at an intersection on U.S. 29 that has grown notorious for crashes. There is no traffic light at the Barrineau Park Road intersection.

"It's a major thoroughfare, and people need to be aware of their surroundings and drive with caution and care," Preston said. "There is so much more traffic in the area that everyone needs to be more diligent."

Crash fatalities

Escambia County

2004......52
2003......42
2002......45
2001......47
2000......42
1999......38

Santa Rosa County

2004......19
2003......38
2002......21
2001......15
2000......15
1999......15

Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles