Witnesses sought in fatal FWB traffic crash

FORT WALTON BEACH —Police have requested that anyone who witnessed last Wednesday’s incident where two pedestrians were struck by oncoming traffic contact investigators.

Christina Cook, 44, died after she was struck by a mini-van and then hit by a second van while crossing Mary Esther Cut-Off to get to Publix grocery. The incident oc-curred shortly before 9:30 p.m.

To read the original story about this fatal accident, click here.

Cook and Johnathan A. Becker, 43, walked into the path of a southbound 1996 Plymouth minivan driven by 52-year-old Natalie Wanless of Fort Walton Beach.

Becker and Cook were hit and struck the van’s wind-shield before they were thrown into the road, the news release states.

Becker, 43, was able to get up and walk to the median. Cook, 44, was so severely injured that she stayed in the southbound lanes, where she was run over by a 2001 Honda minivan driven by 30-year-old Mary Goen of Fort Walton Beach.

Officer Sheldon Sheffield interviewed Wanless and Goen. Wanless told police she never saw the pedestrians until right before impact, according to a Fort Walton Beach release last Thursday.

Becker and Cook were taken by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital. Cook died during surgery, according to the news release. By Thursday, Becker was listed in fair condition and spoke to Shef-field.

“He told me his opinion and each driver gave me their opinion, but none of them are the same,” Sheffield said.

The biggest unanswered question is where Cook and Becker crossed the street.

“Without that particular location, we’re unable to determine several other factors such as the speeds of cars, whether there was any driver negligence or pedestrian negligence,” Sheffield said. “A witness would help clarify that for us.”

Anyone who witnessed this traffic crash is urged to call Officer Sheldon Sheffield at the Fort Walton Beach Police Department at 833-9546.

They may also contact Emerald Coast Crime Stop-pers at 863-TIPS (863-8477), or toll-free at 1-888-654-TIPS. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting “TIP214 plus the message” to CRIMES (274637).

Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.emeraldcoastcrimestoppers.com. Crime Stoppers callers are never required to reveal their identity nor testify in court. A code number system is used to pay cash rewards without compromising the tipster’s identity.

Crime Stoppers pays cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information that helps solve crimes, or leads to the location of wanted fugitives, illegal drugs, or recovery of stolen property. Crime Stoppers is a nonprofit community organi-zation; it is not a government program or law enforcement agency, and no taxpayer dollars are used in its reward fund.