Bus crash victim legally impaired

A medical examiner’s report released Feb. 9 revealed that George E. Potter III of Navarre, who was killed in a Nov. 10 wreck on U.S. Highway 98, was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit at the time of the accident.

The accident occurred at about 2:13 p.m. Nov. 10 at the intersection of U.S. 98 and Whispering Pines Boulevard in east Navarre. According to the initial Florida Highway Patrol report, Potter, 64, was stopped, waiting for the traffic signal to turn green at the intersection of U.S. 98 and Whispering Pines. When the light turned green, Potter entered U.S. 98 to make a left turn.

At the same time, Jacqueline Lee Rock, 58, also of Navarre, was traveling west on U.S. 98 in a Santa Rosa County School bus when the traffic signal turned red. The report stated that Rock "failed to brake in time to stop for the red traffic signal.”

Rock has maintained that the light was green giving her right of way and that Potter pulled out in front of her.  The officer at the scene did not cite her for reckless driving and an investigation was opened.

Durham School Services, Santa Rosa County School District contractor, terminated Rock in late December before the investigation and medical examiner’s report was complete.

The medical examiner’s report, which included the toxicology report, were completed Nov. 23 and Dec. 14 respectively and made available a week ago. According to the medical examiner’s report, the cause of death was multiple blunt force injuries sustained as a result of the car accident. The toxicology report indicated that Potter’s blood alcohol content was 0.23, three times the legal limit. 

For more on this story, see the Feb. 23 issue of Navarre Press or subscribe online.