A report from the Florida Highway Patrol provides additional information regarding the tragic event that occurred in Florida during the spring break vacation of three high school students from Massachusetts and left another student in critical condition. The occurrence occurred while the kids were on vacation.
At around 9:30 p.m. on April 21, Jimmy McIntosh, 18, and Hannah Wasserman, 17, both of Concord-Carlisle High School, were murdered when their vehicle collided with a tractor-trailer on U.S. Highway 98 in Walton County. Both of them were students at Concord-Carlisle High School.
After the accident, another passenger in the vehicle, a student at Concord-Carlisle named Maisey O’Donnell, who was 18 years old, passed away in the hospital. There is a fourth passenger who has been left in severe condition; however, they have not been named.
On the highway, where the maximum speed restriction is 65 miles per hour, McIntosh was reportedly traveling at speeds of about 110 miles per hour, as stated in the accident report.
While the tractor-trailer was attempting to make a U-turn, the automobile driven by McIntosh was involved in a collision with it. It was driven by Kadyn DeWayne Ainsworth, who was 19 years old at the time, and it was reportedly traveling at approximately 20 miles per hour. Both he and his passenger walked away from the collision unscathed.
As stated in an earlier report from the Florida roadway Patrol that was released by the source, the Hyundai SUV that was involved in the accident traveled over the roadway before coming to a stop “in the wood line on the south side of the highway.”
A recent accident report is cited as the source of the information that McIntosh’s vehicle suffered a roof loss as a result of the collision.
In accordance with the report, Ainsworth was subjected to drug and alcohol testing; however, the results of these examinations were not made public. On the scene, officials stated that they did not believe he was under the influence of any substance. There was no testing of a similar nature performed on McIntosh.
It was claimed by Lieutenant Jim Beauford, who is the chief of public affairs for the Florida Highway Patrol, that this matter was being investigated as a criminal inquiry. He gave the outlet his word that there would be no charges brought against him until the investigation was over.
“We understand the public’s desire for a quick resolution to these criminal investigations; however, it is more important that we conduct the best investigation possible for the people that are involved,” he told me via email. “We are making every effort to ensure that the investigation is as thorough as possible.”
According to Dr. Gary Howerton, who was on the highway at the time of the accident and attempted to aid people who were hurt, McIntosh’s automobile “blew by me like I was standing still.” Howerton made this statement to the Globe.
It was his best estimation that he was moving at a pace of approximately 72 miles per hour.
“My initial reaction was, ‘Oh no,” I thought. Something terrible is going to take place as a result of the manner in which he was driving,” he stated, indicating that he was present throughout the crash.
In addition, he stated to the publication that “this car was just going so fast.” He stated that it appeared as though the truck had sufficient time to complete the U-turn.
In his explanation, he stated, “It shouldn’t have happened.”
O’Donnell, who won the state diving championship and will be attending Williams College, was praised by Coach Joe Chirico as being “humble with a thoughtful heart.”
She was looked up to by the other divers as well as by the children who were younger than her. It is a pity that someone who was at the top of their game, attending the best academic institution, and had the potential to become one of the best divers in the country was taken from this world so soon,” he remarked.
In a post on Instagram, her boyfriend Warren Hansel paid tribute to her by saying, “There are so many things I love about you and so many things I’m going to miss.” He went on to say, “You are not just the love of my life, but also my best friend.”
