A fatal traffic accident occurred last Sunday evening on Highway 4, 8 miles outside of Jay, said Florida Highway Patrol. Reports said the accident happened just east of Cornelia Lane at 9:07 p.m. The driver of Vehicle 1 is still unknown. FHP officials said Melvin D. Hawthorne, Jay, was an occupant of Vehicle 1 at the time of the crash. Reports said an investigation is pending upon driver information of Vehicle 1.
Reports said Vehicle 1 and Vehicle 2 were both west bound on SR-4. Vehicle 2, a 2002 Dodge Neon, was driven by Renee Russell, 40, Baker. Vehicle 1, a 1998 Nissan Frontier hit Vehicle 2 from behind. FHP officials report Vehicle 1 coming to ret on the north shoulder of the road and Vehicle 2 spun, coming to rest facing south in the westbound lane on Highway 4. Reports said Russell and passengers Kevin McLaughlin, 37, White Georgia and Raistlin Bunch, 14, Baker, were transported to Sacred Heart Hospital by Lifeguard. Passenger Shannan McLaughlin, 14, Flomaton, AL was taken via LifeFlight to Sacred Heart Hospital and Shawn McLaughlin, 13, Baker was pronounced dead at the scene. All passengers were wearing their seat belts. Charges are pending.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Highway 4 accident kills teen