DeFuniak Springs Police responded to serious traffic crash on Sunday, September 15, at approximately 12:00 PM. 44 year old Tony J. Hayes, of DeFuniak Springs, was killed when his 1994 Blue Chevrolet S-10 Blazer collided with the under carriage of a semi-tractor trailer, driven by 39 year old Damon L. Wiggs of South Carolina. Hayes was traveling north in the outside lane of U.S. Hwy 331, when Wiggs pulled into his pathway. Wiggs advised that he exited I-10 to obtain fuel for his rig. He noticed that there were no stations and began to cross 331 and onto the east bound on-ramp.. According to Wiggs, as he traveled slowly, he observed Hayes's vehicle, but believed he was going to stop. Wiggs had a passenger, 37 year old Darold Grimmett, who was sleeping in the cab of the rig during the crash. Neither Wiggs or Grimmett were injured.
Vehicles traveling north were temporarily stopped until the roadway could be cleared. The DeFuniak Springs Fire Department, Walton Fire Rescue, the Walton County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Department of Transportation assisted in traffic control and scene safety. The Florida Highway Patrol and Medical Examiner's Office is assisting the DeFuniak Springs Police with the investigation. The investigation is on-going and charges are pending..