Another accident on 98 at 283

**SoWalSally** · 09-09-2005, 12:40 PM

Traffic in the area of US 98 and State Road 283 (Bay Drive) continues to be slow due to a two-vehicle crash at that location around 10 a.m. this morning.
According to emergency responders on the scene, a woman driving north in a late model Ford Expedition with Texas plates on CR 283, failed to stop at the stop sign at US 98.
Her vehicle struck a "crane truck," with such intensity it sheared the chassis from the truck.
South Walton firefighters had to extricate the woman by cutting a hole in the top of the vehicle.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol officer investigating the crash, the woman's family was in a car behind the woman and witnessed the accident.
FHP is still investigating.
The intersection has been the site of other fatal crashes and has been slated to have a traffic light installed for almost a year.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-09-2005, 01:05 PM

I sat there in shock with my jaw dropped when I saw the aftermath. Again, this is such a small community, that chances are good that we know the persons involved. I was hoping it was no one I knew, but I was really wishing that what I was seeing was just a dream. That Expedition was not looking like an Expedition. I took a photo or two just to remind myself of the risk involved when crossing that intersection, and others like it. I often hold my breath as I cross there, hoping not to die. My heart goes out to the friends and family of those involved.

People, I say again, do not leave those thinking caps back at your house when you come to the beach.

**Diane4145** · 09-09-2005, 01:18 PM

My son witnessed the aftermath, as well. So heartbreaking! I'm praying that the woman survived. Any word?

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

I sat there in shock with my jaw dropped when I saw the aftermath. Again, this is such a small community, that chances are good that we know the persons involved. I was hoping it was no one I knew, but I was really wishing that what I was seeing was just a dream. That Expedition was not looking like an Expedition. I took a photo or two just to remind myself of the risk involved when crossing that intersection, and others like it. I often hold my breath as I cross there, hoping not to die. My heart goes out to the friends and family of those involved.

People, I say again, do not leave those thinking caps back at your house when you come to the beach.

**RiverOtter** · 09-09-2005, 01:20 PM

How can you possibly miss the stop sign there? She must have been flying

**Smiling JOe** · 09-09-2005, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by Diane4145

My son witnessed the aftermath, as well. So heartbreaking! I'm praying that the woman survived. Any word?

Looking at the Expedition, I don't think anything less than a miracle could save her.

The story which SoWalSally posted was the first one that seemed to match any details which I witnessed personally. I did see a smashed silver Expedition sitting under the front end of the crane truck. I heard various stories on the vehicle and number of passengers. I have yet to hear anyone say that the occupant(s) of the smashed vehicle survived. I have heard otherwise. If there was a survivor in that vehicle, I think we would know. I guess time will tell.

That wreck shook me so much, that I don't have the heart to unload my photos from my camera, even though I have some good beach shots.