331 Bridge Traffic Fatality

**30ABandMan** · 01-11-2009, 06:35 PM

Hey all, I was headed out of town and was diverted at 331/98. I called the S.O. and was told there was a bad crash at the top of the bridge. Prayers are needed I'm sure.

**30ABandMan** · 01-11-2009, 06:54 PM

My wife verified on FHP's web-site that it is a fatality. Very sad.

**Creeklover** · 01-11-2009, 11:26 PM

Yes one person died in the accident. It was a headon collision on the top of the bridge. I was talking to a WCSO deputy and he said they both were from Blue Mountion Beach area but did not have their names.

Also at the same time a WCSO Deputy hit a chevy car inthe rear north by the little bridge. The lady was stoped in the road and he came over the bridge and did not see her. They took the SO car away on a tow truck.

**organicmama** · 01-12-2009, 06:21 AM

Any more news regarding this?

**Snerd** · 01-12-2009, 09:28 AM

http://www.panhandleparade.com/index...ed/mbb7713237/

Wells Bridge Accident Victims Identified
01/11/09 - 07:36 PM

RSS Feed
Walton County, Fla:
This morning the Florida Highway Patrol releases the names of two men involved in a head on collision.

Officers say Daniel Fritz Edwards, 40 of Santa Rosa Beach, was traveling Southbound on U.S. 331 at the center of the Clyde Wells Bridge around 5:30 p.m. last night when he drove left of the center line striking Jimmy Russell Manucy, 49 also of Santa Rosa Beach. Mauncy was traveling Northbound when his Dodge truck was hit head on. Both vehicles spun out before coming to a stop facing opposite directions.

Officials with the Florida Highway Patrol closed the Clyde Wells bridge for several hours while working the accident. Edwards was declared dead and Mauncy was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in critical condition.

**organicmama** · 01-12-2009, 01:21 PM

331 Accident

An accident between two pick-up trucks that collided head-on near the south end of the Clyde B. Wells Bridge closed U.S. 331 over the bay for several hours yesterday evening and into the night. Emergency responders from the South Walton Fire District, Walton Sheriff�s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol worked the serious accident. The accident had one fatality at the scene and one person transported to the hospital.

The FHP says, around 5:30pm Sunday, a 1988 Nissan truck, driven by 40-year-old Daniel Fritz Edwards of Santa Rosa Beach, was traveling south on U.S. 331 at the center of the Clyde Wells Bridge. A second truck, a 1996 Dodge, driven by 49-year-old Jimmy Russell Manucy, also of Santa Rosa Beach, was traveling northbound. For an unknown reason, the first truck drove left of the centerline and into the northbound lane and struck the second truck. Both trucks rotated counter-clockwise and came to a rest blocking traffic, shutting down the roadway.

The FHP says Edwards, the driver of the first truck was not wearing a seat belt and drugs/alcohol tests are pending. He is listed as a fatality. The driver of the second truck, Manucy, is listed with critical injuries and also was not wearing a seat belt. Drug/alcohol tests are also pending for him. Charges are listed as pending.

**graytonbeachguy** · 01-12-2009, 04:23 PM

Anyone know who Jimmy Manucy is? I thought I knew a Manucy from Georgia that had moved down here.

**Bobby J** · 01-12-2009, 04:49 PM

Wow! It is not Dan Edwards from Blu! Glad to hear that but still very sad about this wreck. What a crazy week.

I just got off the phone with Dan. My prayers are with all those involved in yet another tragic wreck on 331. I truly pray alcohol was not a factor. Not that it makes it any better but not another senseless wreck!

**criolla man** · 01-12-2009, 09:31 PM

I only knew Fritz briefly - since November. He seemed like a very kind soul. He shared only a small part of his life story with me. The news of his passing is disheartening. I was looking forward to seeing him again around town.

**JamBone** · 01-12-2009, 11:05 PM

oh my - fritz was a regular patron at jambone along with his sweet mother. he was a very kind soul and such a pleasant man. what a very sad tragedy. all of our thoughts and prayers are with his spirit and with his family. and a dear best wish for mr. mauncy for a healthy recovery from his trauma as well...

**ShallowsNole** · 01-13-2009, 09:11 AM

Fritz grew up here. I didn't know him well, but I remember him from the school bus way back when. His grandfather was the Fire Marshall for this area for years.

BobbyJ, I may be wrong but I think Romeosmydog would probably remember him from high school. Fuzz says he used to chase him and her stepbrother all over SoWal 20-25 years ago.

May Fritz rest in peace, prayers for his family and for Mr. Manucy and his family.

**shebayvonne1** · 01-13-2009, 10:33 AM

Hi I worked for Dr. Causton. I just want to say thank you to every one for all the nice things that were said about him and thank you to all the people that came to his memorial service. My heart goes out to Fritz Edwards family at this time of sorrow. Fritz was a very nice man and will be missed. The family is going to set up a trust fund.

**ItzKatzTime** · 01-13-2009, 11:50 AM

This is so very sad. Fritz and his mother had just been talking with Dr. Causton's office staff sending their condolences last week about Dr. C. who was their doctor for a long time and cared so much for both Fritz and his mother. Days later I read in the Guest Book their words of loss and sorrow for Dr. Causton. Then the next day Fritz is gone too!

Only good things were ever said about Fritz and he just was always there to help you if you needed it. What a kind man that SoWal has lost. God bless his dear Mother.

I do not know Jimmy Manucy by name, but wish him the very best!

**Miss Critter** · 01-13-2009, 12:49 PM

How sad that tragedy has struck so many sowallers recently. Prayers go out to both men and their families.

**organicmama** · 01-13-2009, 08:44 PM

Our prayers are with both families.

**jodiFL** · 01-14-2009, 06:09 AM

Condolences can be sent at the Clary-Glenn site.

**Bobby J** · 01-14-2009, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by ShallowsNole

Fritz grew up here. I didn't know him well, but I remember him from the school bus way back when. His grandfather was the Fire Marshall for this area for years.

BobbyJ, I may be wrong but I think Romeosmydog would probably remember him from high school. Fuzz says he used to chase him and her stepbrother all over SoWal 20-25 years ago.

May Fritz rest in peace, prayers for his family and for Mr. Manucy and his family.

You are correct. I just now put two and two together from his picture. I have not seen him in about 10 years. It is a small world but we sometimes are all very far away from each other. I believe Fuzz did chase him and Bevs stepbrother around a bit. I may have even been in the back seat! This is really sad. Rest in Peace Fritz.

**mpalumbo7866** · 01-15-2009, 11:12 AM

thank you all for all the prayers, jimmy and his wife lisa are very close friends of my family, they reside in blue mt.beach, jimmy has been a plumber here locally for years and a really great guy. he had been working out of town for the last several months and was in route to atmore for work when the crash happened, he is in very bad shape at this point, not sure he will make it.again thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts i will keep everyone updated.

**organicmama** · 01-16-2009, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by mpalumbo7866

thank you all for all the prayers, jimmy and his wife lisa are very close friends of my family, they reside in blue mt.beach, jimmy has been a plumber here locally for years and a really great guy. he had been working out of town for the last several months and was in route to atmore for work when the crash happened, he is in very bad shape at this point, not sure he will make it.again thank you for all your prayers and good thoughts i will keep everyone updated.

I am so very sorry. Thank you forgiving us more information on Jimmy & the update.