April 21, 2018
Crestview, FL – A two vehicle accident that occurred shortly after midnight on Pandora Drive just south of Hammock Lane has claimed the life of a 30-year-old Crestview man.
According to a Florida Highway Patrol news release, 28-year-old Calvin Wilks was the driver of a 1998 Acura traveling south on Pandora Drive with one passenger, 30-year-old Derek Anthony Varner.
A 1994 Chevrolet pick-up truck was traveling north on Pandora Drive operated by a 19-year-old Crestview female. The identity of the operator of the truck has not been released pending notification of next of kin.
The preliminary report stated as Wilks was traveling south on Pandora Drive, his vehicle left the roadway and traveled onto the southbound shoulder of the roadway. When Wilks steered back onto the roadway, he lost control and crossed into the north bound lane of Pandora in the path of the Chevrolet truck.
The passenger side of Wilks’ 1998 Acura collided with the front of the Chevrolet Truck and both vehicles came to rest in the area of the collision according to the report.
Derek Anthony Varner, who was not wearing a seat belt, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The driver of the truck was transported to the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center with critical injuries. It is unknown if she was wearing a seatbelt.
Wilks, who was wearing a seatbelt, was not injured in the accident.
According to the news release, alcohol was a factor in the accident and charges are pending the conclusion of the Traffic Homicide Investigation.