By Staff Report
A crash on Interstate 10 in Walton County on Sunday, February 8, has tragically left two children dead and their father seriously injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). One of the children, age 7, was a first grader at Bonifay K-8.
Troopers reported that a 34‑year‑old Bonifay man was driving eastbound near the 86‑mile marker with his two children, ages 4 and 7, when their SUV struck the rear of an eastbound semi‑truck. The impact caused the vehicle to veer into the median and overturn several times. Both children were killed in the crash. The father was transported with serious injuries.
The driver of the semi‑truck, a 71‑year‑old man from Cottonwood, Arizona, came to a stop in the inside lane. A second tractor‑trailer traveling behind him was unable to avoid the stopped truck and collided with the rear of it. No additional injuries were reported from that secondary crash.
Westbound traffic on Interstate 10 was reduced to one lane, and all eastbound lanes were blocked for several hours as emergency crews responded.
FHP’s Commercial Motor Vehicle and Traffic Homicide units are conducting a comprehensive investigation. The Walton County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.
GARETT VALCOURT 
AMBER PATINO 