3 Car Accident Ends in Fatalities
A 3 car accident ended with two dead and several transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center. The accident happened on State Rd 4, near Baker, Florida on Saturday, July 14, at 6:28 am. According to the Florida Hwy Patrol, the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Charlotte Black, 62, of Olive Hill, KY was traveling southbound on State Road 4, John Joseph St.John driving a 2011 Toyota Camry,was traveling northbound on State Road 4, and a 2009 Ford Fusion, driven by Venia Groves, 55, of Bessemer,AL was traveling northbound on State Road 4 directly behind St.John. According to witnesses, Black drifted toward the left, (east) and entered into the northbound lane, directly into the path of St. John. The suburban and the camry struck head-on, (left front to left front) causing both vehicles to rotate counterclockwise around the area of collision. Traveling in a southerly direction within the northbound lane, the suburban overturned onto its right and then back onto its tires as the Ford Fusion approached from the south. Ms. Groves took evasive action by steering toward the left but was unable to avoid a collision with the suburban and Groves hit the vehicle driven by Black (right front to left side). After the initial collision between Black and St. John, the Camry overturned onto its roof into a ditch located on the east shoulder of State Road 4. During the chain of events, the left rear passenger of the suburban, (Racine D. Ison) was ejected through the damaged/ compromised right rear passenger door as it spun out of control. The suburban came to final rest straddling the northbound white fog line while facing a west, northwesterly directions . Ison, the left rear passenger came to final rest; face down, next to the right side of the suburban, with her head oriented toward the north. The Camry came to final rest on its roof located on the east shoulder of State Road 4 while facing an easterly direction. Groves driving the Fusion came to final rest straddling the center line of State Road 4 while facing a northwesterly direction. During the chain of events, the left rear passenger of the suburban (Racine D. Ison) and John Joseph St. John received fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on scene by Okaloosa County EMS. All of the passengers in the suburban were transported to North Okaloosa Medical Center for minor injuries. Passengers were: Pamela Burton, 64; Pamela Rose, 35; Melissa Black, 42; Hannah Black, 7; and Xairyn Rose,2.
Charges are pending percompletion
