By By ROBERT BLANKENSHIP – Managing Editor
An Atmore man was fighting for his life Saturday in a Pensacola hospital after a bizarre accident in Brewton Friday afternoon.
Benito Juarez, 18, of 704 Sunset Dr. in Atmore, was lifeflighted from D.W. McMillan Hospital in Brewton to Baptist Hospital in Pensacola after suffering a head injury on College Street in the Alco community.
Juarez was the only person inside a 1993 Ford Aerostar van when the accident occurred. According to police, a witness driving behind the van saw the vehicle's parking lights come on and then saw Juarez either fall out or jump out of the van, landing on the paved street. The van continued to roll down the street until it went off the road and into a ditch.
Police responded to the scene at 1:25 p.m. to find that Juarez was not responsive and in critical condition. The D.W. McMillan Ambulance Service arrived on the scene at 1:31 and transported the victim to the hospital.
As of 10 a.m. on Saturday, Juarez was reported to be in critical condition at Baptist Hospital.
Brewton Police Lt. James Hicks said the case is still under investigation.