UPDATE: There is an update to this story here
A two-vehicle crash involving multiple high school students turned critical Friday night when one vehicle rolled over and caught fire near the Destin ER, prompting response from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigation team.
- Destin Fire Rescue reported multiple trauma alert patients were transported to HCA Florida Fort Walton-Destin Hospital, with one patient being airlifted to Sacred Heart Pensacola.
The crash, which occurred at the intersection of Emerald Coast Parkway and Trista Terrace Court, involved students from both Destin High School and the South Walton area.
Destin High School Principal Dr. Diane Kelley visited one of her students and his father at the hospital Friday night, where the student was scheduled for surgery.
“I promised to have his favorite foods waiting, once he is out of surgery,” Kelley said in a statement to school families.
- Additional students from the South Walton area are receiving treatment at various Gulf Coast area hospitals, according to the school. The exact number of injured students has not been specified.
The sheriff’s office noted that its Traffic Homicide Investigation team responds to all crashes involving a fatality or serious injury that could result in a fatality. The westbound lanes of Emerald Coast Parkway were temporarily closed following the incident but have since reopened.
Addressing the school community’s response to the incident, Kelley expressed concern about misinformation spreading online. “This news has taken a toll on our school community, especially the students and staff, as false rumors circulated quickly online,” she said.
To support those affected by the crash, the school is taking immediate action.
- “Our Shark Counseling team will be on campus Monday to assist any students or staff who may need extra support,” Kelley said. “I will personally be coordinating support for the student’s family, as needed.”
Kelley concluded her statement by asking the community to “keep the impacted families, as well as our Sharks and the Seahawk community, in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
3 Responses
You want misinformation to stop spreading then the government/ county/ state (agencies) need to put the information out there. By now everyone involved passed or alive have been notified. Sheriffs office isn’t being transparent like they say they are. People want to know what’s going on in the community and people are nosey. You’ll never stop online information without the truth being revealed. Sorry if this sounds rude or whatever. But that’s the FACTS. Tell us what is happening. Tell the dang truth government / county / state.
It’s ridiculous to expect them to put out the information immediately. They have to actually investigate what happened, make notifications to family, etc. before they start posting it on social media. You can’t expect it to be posted within minutes or even hours.
This has nothing to do with transparency.
Law Enforcement generally can only release limited nformation until the investigation is completed. Do do otherwise would do nothing but add to misinformation and jeopardize any future litigation.