Nicole Moore Obituary, Death;- One of the victims in the double-fatal pedestrian accident that occurred this past weekend in Perdido Key has been identified as a 20-year-old student from the University of Alabama.
Sources from The University of Alabama have confirmed that Jackson Cunningham, a student and member of the Theta Chi fraternity, was among those who lost their lives. The other victim has been identified as 20-year-old Nicole Moore from Calera, Alabama. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.
Theta Chi Alabama announced on social media that Cunningham, originally from Hoover, Alabama, was part of the pledge class of 2022. The post characterized him as “a man of unwavering character, faith, and kindness,” and noted that “his impact on the lives of others will last forever.”
The incident took place early Saturday at approximately 3 a.m. on Perdido Key Drive near River Road.
WEAR News reported on Monday that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) indicated the victims were struck by an off-duty Escambia County deputy driving an unmarked patrol vehicle while they were crossing the street.
“They did not activate the crosswalk lights. They crossed in the dark,” stated Commissioner Steve Stroberger. “There was an EMS vehicle that was actually en route to another call and they witnessed the incident. They observed that the crosswalk lights had not been activated.”
According to FHP, the deputy, a 47-year-old man from Pensacola, was returning home from an off-duty job at the time of the accident. He did not sustain any injuries and has not been publicly identified.
“The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office employee was not actively patrolling nor on duty,” FHP stated. “The Florida Highway Patrol is committed to thoroughly investigating this crash, as we do with all incidents we are unfortunately required to address.”
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office has placed the deputy on paid administrative leave in accordance with policy.
FHP continues to investigate the crash, and no additional details regarding the incident have been disclosed at this time.
