Crash on 393 Today

**GoodWitch58** · 05-05-2009, 09:15 PM

Two injured in head on crash on 393N | 393n, crash, head - Local News - WaltonSun.com

I hope no one dies; and I wonder how long it took the 911 operator to get an ambulance/officers to this crash...

**ItzKatzTime** · 05-05-2009, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

Two injured in head on crash on 393N | 393n, crash, head - Local News - WaltonSun.com

I hope no one dies; and I wonder how long it took the 911 operator to get an ambulance/officers to this crash...

I hope everyone is ok. With the alcohol smell so strong inside of the car and open container this person is in a lot of trouble. With my youngest daughter now driving I am so worried about the amount of people on the road drinking not only while driving, but drinking and then driving. Not that I wasn't concerned before.

I was so glad to read the woman driving behind the white car had already called 911 because of the weaving.

Everyone be careful when driving out there!!!!

**maryvyates** · 05-06-2009, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

Two injured in head on crash on 393N | 393n, crash, head - Local News - WaltonSun.com

I hope no one dies; and I wonder how long it took the 911 operator to get an ambulance/officers to this crash...

It is shameful that you would question the integrity of the 911 operator. The police, fire, rescue and lifeguard personnel of Walton County put their lives on the line daily to protect all of us -- even those of you who are so critical up there in your ivory towers.

**GoodWitch58** · 05-06-2009, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by maryvyates

It is shameful that you would question the integrity of the 911 operator. The police, fire, rescue and lifeguard personnel of Walton County put their lives on the line daily to protect all of us -- even those of you who are so critical up there in your ivory towers.

I am not questioning the integrity of any operator. I am referring to the Sheriff's comments about all the "dropped calls" from dispatch to the 911 operators, and my specific experience with delays in getting a call through.

While I agree that all of the people you mentioned do a good job, and I certainly appreciate it (and those who know me, know that I do) there is obvious need for improvement in some of the administration and system. That's the reason, as I understand it, that the Sheriff is asking for a change in the way the 911 system works.

Sorry if I offended you--maybe you had not read the other information.

http://www.waltonsun.com/news/wcso-3...-staffing.html

BTW, not sure what Ivory Tower you are referring to...haven't been in one that I know about

**Will B** · 05-06-2009, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by maryvyates

It is shameful that you would question the integrity of the 911 operator. The police, fire, rescue and lifeguard personnel of Walton County put their lives on the line daily to protect all of us -- even those of you who are so critical up there in your ivory towers.

I don't think it was intended that way. I cerntainly didn't interpret it the same way.

Originally Posted by goodwitch58

I am not questioning the integrity of any operator. I am referring to the Sheriff's comments about all the "dropped calls" from dispatch to the 911 operators, and my specific experience with delays in getting a call through.

...That's the reason, as I understand it, that the Sheriff is asking for a change in the way the 911 system works.

Back last summer I witnessed a hit and run in Seaside on the circle. Having nothing to do, I figured I'd call 911 and follow the car. The guy was wasted and was weaving all over the road. In the short distance between Seaside and the Tom Thumb in Seagrove, my call dropped 4 times requiring me to call back. Fortunately, he pulled into the store, and in my frustration, I called 911 back from the pay phone.

I know exactly what you're talking about and wondering how long it took the officer to get there...

**ASH** · 05-06-2009, 09:09 AM

This crash happened right in front of my showroom. The impact literally shook my building. I ran out the front door dialing 911 and was the first person to the vehicles. There was a lady running up from the South who said she already had 911 on the line so I put my phone away.
The lady was already getting out of the van and she seemed uninjured so I ran across the road to the white car. That guy was in tough shape. Airbags had deployed, but he was tall and his head had impacted the windshield up near the top. I hollered to him several times, but he was not responsive, he was leaking a lot of fluids.
Another driver who was also following the car approached and asked if the fire station was nearby. It was just up the road a couple blocks and he ran back to his truck and drove up there to alert them and then the calvary arrived pronto.

I think the story has a mis-print. The lady was wearing a seatbelt as it was plain as day where the belt slapped her chest and neck on impact while she waited on an ambulance. Bet she is sore this morning.

I was on the scene almost instantly. The van was still rolling backwards into the ditch when I went outside. It didn't take me 15 seconds to get to the car. I can't say alcohol was the reason for the accident, but it was certainly present in the white car. It was still foaming out of the can on the floor at the guys feet. That image sticks in my mind. 24 oz can of Miller High Life in a ghetto koozie.

**Lynnie** · 05-06-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by ASH

This crash happened right in front of my showroom. The impact literally shook my building. I ran out the front door dialing 911 and was the first person to the vehicles. There was a lady running up from the South who said she already had 911 on the line so I put my phone away.
The lady was already getting out of the van and she seemed uninjured so I ran across the road to the white car. That guy was in tough shape. Airbags had deployed, but he was tall and his head had impacted the windshield up near the top. I hollered to him several times, but he was not responsive, he was leaking a lot of fluids.
Another driver who was also following the car approached and asked if the fire station was nearby. It was just up the road a couple blocks and he ran back to his truck and drove up there to alert them and then the calvary arrived pronto.

I think the story has a mis-print. The lady was wearing a seatbelt as it was plain as day where the belt slapped her chest and neck on impact while she waited on an ambulance. Bet she is sore this morning.

I was on the scene almost instantly. The van was still rolling backwards into the ditch when I went outside. It didn't take me 15 seconds to get to the car. I can't say alcohol was the reason for the accident, but it was certainly present in the white car. It was still foaming out of the can on the floor at the guys feet. That image sticks in my mind. 24 oz can of Miller High Life in a ghetto koozie.

Glad you were there - sounds awful! And, it sounds like 911 was very responsive. I hope all are well and recovering.

I know about dropped calls, too........one of the main reasons I've kept a basic land line in my home.

**ASH** · 05-06-2009, 09:38 AM

Poor Belinda who had to watch this unfold while she was on the phone with 911. She was such a trooper to stay with this whole situation while it played out.
When all the help was finally on the scene and she had time to settle, she started to shake so bad, I thought the poor woman was going to pass out.

Poor lady in the van too, hardly spoke a word of English, people trying to figure out if she was hurt at all. She was so confused and was calling folks on her cell. She finally settled down a bit and then she got very angry at the driver of the car. Started hollering "LOCO! LOCO!"
From the witnesses who watched the white car driving, something was certainly not right.

I'd like to get indignant about the driver of the white car and call him a drunk, but ask that people reading this story hold off until we get the rest of the story. I know I would feel pretty bad if this turned out to be a medical condition instead of alcohol.

**30abob** · 05-06-2009, 11:07 AM

My office is in between the crash site and the South Walton Fire District Headquarters on 393 N. Ash didn't offer a time interval between the accident and arrival of emergency personnel but based of the time of the wreck, which I heard inside my office, and the time of the first sound of a siren I'd guess it took around 3 or 4 minutes. It took them all of 38.3 seconds to arrive at the scene after they pulled onto 393. Within 5 more minutes the place was crawling with all sorts of 1st responders.

**sunspotbaby** · 05-06-2009, 02:12 PM

Wow. Seeing that happen is like a nightmare too. You see it over and over in your head. Hope everyone recovers soon, physically and otherwise.

**ASH** · 05-07-2009, 08:18 AM

I would be interested to know the results of the testing of the man. How do the results get published so we know if it was medical or lack of intelligence?