Child restraints stop major injuries in rollover

Proper use of child restraints and seatbelts stopped major injuries in a rollover on Interstate 10 near the Ponce de Leon exit, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol

A 2004 Ford Expedition driven by Dudley T Jackson, Jr. of Breaux Bridge, LA was traveling westbound on I-10 at 12:35 p.m. on Friday, approaching the overpass for SR 81, in Ponce De Leon, when the tread on outer right rear tire separated from the wheel causing the vehicle to react violently and start swerving.

The driver attempted to counter steer the vehicle, but oversteered and lost control of the vehicle as it rotated in a clockwise direction. As the vehicle entered the overpass, the vehicle began to overturn. The vehicle rolled over approximately 2 times before it came to rest in an upright position facing north on the overpass, blocking both westbound lanes.

The driver and passengers were transported to area hospitals for treatment. All occupants suffered non-life threating injuries. There were 9 passengers (3 other adults & 6 children) in the vehicle, at the time of this posting, not all names & ages were available, but all resided at the same location. Seatbelts and child restraints were in use.

Hospitals involved: Sacred Heart Hospital - Pensacola / Walton County Hospital - Defuniak Spgs / Southeast Alabama Med Cntr - Dothan, Al / Doctors Memorial Hospital - Bonifay / Northwest Florida Community Hospital - Chipley.