Two injured in hydroplaning accident

Florida Highway Patrol charged Charles Taylor Wentz, 21, of Gulf Breeze with driving too fast for conditions on Jan. 1 after his vehicle hydroplaned on U.S. Highway 98.

Wentz was driving a Crown Victoria south on Country Club Road and failed to maintain control of the vehicle on the wet roadway, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.

Wentz’s vehicle began to hydroplane and spin in a clockwise direction. The report stated that the vehicle slid off the roadway to the west and went onto the grass shoulder before colliding with a tree.

The passenger Christopher Meaux, 23, of Gulf Breeze was able to get out of the vehicle, but Wentz had to be extracted from the vehicle. Both were transported to Baptist Hospital. Wentz was reported to have serious injuries and Meaux had minor injuries.