Bay County man, 

21, killed in crash

Saturday morning

in Liberty County

by Teresa Eubanks, CLJNews.com

BRISTOL, FL – A 21-year-old Springfield man was killed Saturday morning after losing control of his car on SR 12, one mile east of M.L. King Road in Liberty County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol,  a 2014 black Chevrolet Malibu was traveling in the westbound lane of SR 12 at 7:28 a.m.  when it ran off the road.

The car went onto the north shoulder of SR 12 after the driver apparently fell asleep, according to FHP.  The vehicle then ran into the underbrush and hit a tree, causing the car to rotate clockwise while still attached to the tree.  When the car came to a stop, it burst into flames.

Firefighters arrived to find the vehicle engulfed in a blaze.  The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drivers were diverted from the area for about three hours before the scene was cleared.

The fatal crash is being investigated by the FHP Traffic Homicide Team.  

Local responders to the scene included the Liberty County Sheriff’s Department, Bristol Fire Department, Rock Bluff Fire Department, Liberty County EMS and Weber Infrastructure.