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.

**katie blue** · 09-09-2005, 01:53 PM

Walton Sun online has the same article posted by Sally, but with the headline " "Fatal car crash at Bay Drive and 98".

**Miss Kitty** · 09-09-2005, 01:59 PM

How awful...and that the family saw it happen. So sad.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-09-2005, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by Sueshore

How awful...and that the family saw it happen. So sad.

I bet the two cops sitting at the intersection didn't see it -- not that they could have done anything to prevent it.

**Santiago** · 09-09-2005, 03:28 PM

The story that I heard was that the woman and infant child were killed. Very sad.

**Santiago** · 09-09-2005, 03:29 PM

The question is did it wake the cops up?

**Smiling JOe** · 09-09-2005, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Santiago

The question is did it wake the cops up?

I think the noise of the crash shocked them and they probably knew what had happend before they looked up. They are not usually asleep, though sometimes they do nap. They are usually reading or looking at their computers monitors.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-15-2005, 07:47 AM

The concrete was being poured yesterday, to anchor the bolts that attach the pole for the traffic light at the 98/283 intersection.

I think the concrete has to cure for another 30 days or so, before they will attach the pole, arm, and signal. Then, if people will not run the red lights, people will know who has the right of way, and hopefully, will avoid many accidents. All I can say is that it is about time.

**aquaticbiology** · 09-16-2005, 07:43 AM

if a stop sign didn't stop her would a traffic light - wait - why was her family following in another car when she was alone and driving a huge 6-seater or better Expedition? At 3 bucks a gallon at that?

hey, did they put in the rumble strips (you know, the intentional sets of bumps approching the intersection - closer together as you get closer - if they dont wake you up youre dead already) or not? - they would have stopped the problem ages ago

**kurt** · 09-16-2005, 07:44 AM

Originally Posted by aquaticbiology

hey, did they put in the rumble strips (you know, the intentional sets of bumps approching the intersection - closer together as you get closer - if they dont wake you up youre dead already) or not? - they would have stopped the problem ages ago

I think they have stopped using those.

**aquaticbiology** · 09-17-2005, 09:50 AM

The warning bumps are still used some places around here, but other places around Mizippi use painted angled lines with a cross-hatched design that makes you tires sing or make noise (like the yellow middle line - put a tire on it and it should audibly tell you you are on it - or going off the right side of 98 makes the buzzing sound due to tiny grooves). The paint or grooves don't bounce you around like the bumps do. The paint version sounds like a good idea for the county suggestion box. Cheap, easy and might even save your own life someday.

**Smiling JOe** · 09-17-2005, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by aquaticbiology

The warning bumps are still used some places around here, but other places around Mizippi use painted angled lines with a cross-hatched design that makes you tires sing or make noise (like the yellow middle line - put a tire on it and it should audibly tell you you are on it - or going off the right side of 98 makes the buzzing sound due to tiny grooves). The paint or grooves don't bounce you around like the bumps do. The paint version sounds like a good idea for the county suggestion box. Cheap, easy and might even save your own life someday.

The DOT cannot even place the yeild signs in the correct locations at that intersection. I wonder if the County knows how to paint the arrows or stripes. They have a flashing caution light installed, but I, too, think they need a little something more. Also there is no speed limit sign on that road, so I am sure some people drive 55+mph, making it difficult to stop suddenly.

**aquaticbiology** · 09-18-2005, 08:33 AM

Time for a trip down to home depot for a bucket o tile grout, one of those trowels with the grooves in it, and wait for the new moon!

Did you notice that SJ's newest froggie avatar (frog on frosted window) looks a lot like a witch riding a broomstick? That is, if you've out at a bar all night babysitting a very drunk friend who has had a major loss. I have been sober for a few years now and drink only club soda with a twist of lime (verrry good!) and I usually don't go out to bars, but the dad-burn Iraq war took yet another close hero and they were having a send off - yep, crying in the beer - and I just had to be there for them! Anyway this morning after pouring my old friend into that half-empty bed, transferring supervision to the next victim, and pouring myself a HUGE cup of coffee, I did notice that the avatar does look like a witch riding a broomstick.