Released by the Florida Highway Patrol
UPDATE: FHP is currently looking for witnesses to this accident. If you saw this accident occur, contact Eddie Elmore at
EddieElmore@flhsmv.gov
www.flhsmv.gov/fhp
The Florida Highway Patrol reports that James Ussery, 60, of Chipley; Ryan Barrett of Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; and George Cesil, 52, of Cole Rain, North Carolina, all died of injuries sustained in a Oct. 24th crash on Hwy 77 north of Wausau, Florida.
According to the FHP, John Goedtke, 37, of Thonotosassa, Florida, was traveling northbound on S.R. 77 in a 1997 Ford Model F150, pulling a U-Haul trailer and the three power comany employee’s were working on the power poles off S.R. 77 and Talton Drive on the east shoulder of the highway at the time of the incident.
The FHP reports that the truck began to travel in a northeasterly direction and began to travel on the eastern grass shoulder of S.R. 77. The truck continued traveling on the eastern grass shoulder and traveled across Talton Drive and the front of the vehicle collided with the three pedestrians.
The driver then fled the scene and was later found and detained by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Mr. Goedtke was arrested by Troopers and transported to the Washington County Jail.
James Ussery was employed by West Florida Electric Cooperative. Ryan Barrett and George Cesil were employed by Lee Electric Construction, Inc.