UPDATED: Driver extricated after U.S. 98 accident

Lauren Manning, 23, of Mary Esther was seriously injured Oct. 29 in an accident involving a semi-truck on U.S. Highway 98 west of Fox Den Drive in Navarre.

According to a Florida Highway Patrol incident report, Tina Stewart, 45, of Fort Walton Beach, was traveling east on U.S. 98 in the inside eastbound lane. Manning was driving east on U.S. 98 in the outside eastbound lane. Stewart changed lanes into the outside eastbound lane into Manning’s path and Stewart’s front bumper struck the left rear quarter panel of Manning’s yellow sedan.

FHP reported that Manning’s vehicle rotated counterclockwise across the median into the westbound lanes. Manning’s vehicle struck the left rear tires of a 2002 freightliner driven by Dywin Denson, 39, of Eighth Mile, Ala. Denson was traveling west on U.S. 98 in the inside westbound lane.

Lt. Davidson with Holley-Navarre Fire District said Manning’s car was crushed on the front end and the Jaws of Life equipment had to be used to extricate Manning from the car. She was transported to Baptist Hospital via Life Flight.

Denson and Stewart were not injured. Stewart was charged with improper lane change.