By By LYDIA GRIMES – Features writer
Alabama State Troopers announced Friday morning that the first fatality for the Fourth of July weekend was reported in Escambia County (Ala..).
Barbara Jean Bolivar, 51, was traveling north on Travis Road and allegedly careened off the road at 9:03 a.m. There were no passengers in her car.
According to a witness, it appeared as though she veered off to the side of the road. She over compensated for her mistake and ran off the road again, eventually striking a tree. The 1994 Hyundai spun out of control and came to a rest between two large pine trees.
According to Alabama State Troopers, David Turman and Ellis Farley, the driver was not wearing her seat belt and speed may have been a factor. Both air bags were deployed. Troopers were aided by the Escambia County Rescue Squad.
Bolivar was transported to D.W. McMillan Hospital where she was later pronounced dead.
This is the first reported accident involving a fatality in the Evergreen District since the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Troopers said the holiday officially began at midnight on July 1. The office in Evergreen did not have a number of expected fatalities for the holiday which will end at midnight on Monday.
According to the Alabama Department of Public safety, at least 16 people are expected to die in a traffic accidents. Seat belts were not worn in five of the fatalities and at least one fatality was alcohol related.
According to troopers on the scene of the accident, this is the 45th fatal accident in the Evergreen District since the first of the year. At this time last year there had been 18 deaths.