Robertsdale PD continues to investigate fatal crash

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ROBERTSDALE, Alabama — Officials with the Robertsdale Police Department are continuing to investigate a crash Tuesday night at the intersection of U.S. 90 and County Road 85 that left two area teens dead and another in serious condition.

“This is still an ongoing investigation, said Lt. Rex Bishop, chief investigator with the Robertsdale Police Department, during a press conference on Thursday at Robertsdale City Hall. “I’ve called this press conference to release new information.”

Bishop said the preliminary investigation shows that at approximately 7:38 p.m. on Tuesday, June 4, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler, driven by a 16-year-old Robertsdale resident, ran a stop sign at the intersection of U.S. 90 and County Road 85, colliding with a 2019 Toyota Highlander, driven by 27-year-old Taylor Marie Langlinais Baxter of Robertsdale.

The Highlander then collided with an electrical pole, bringing down live wires onto the highway.

“This was a very challenging and dangerous scene and I want to commend all of those that responded,” Bishop said.

Volunteers from the Elsanor and Robertsdale fire departments helped provide medical assistance, along with three air ambulance services, including MedStar’s Air Care 1, LifeFlight and Shands Care. The Robertsdale Police Department helped with traffic control, assisted by deputies from the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department.

In addition, Bishop said, several private citizens stopped to provide assistance, including an off-duty EMT and a nurse.

“I just think it speaks to the caliber of people we have in this area,” Bishop said. “We have had such an outpouring of support and I want to let the families of all of those involve know that the thoughts and prayers of everyone at the Robertsdale Police Department and the city of Robertsdale are with them and ask that everyone pray for the families of all those involved.”

Because there are fatalities involved, Bishop said, the case will be turned over to the Baldwin County Grand Jury and the name of the driver of the Jeep is being withheld while the department is conducting an ongoing investigation.

Among the passengers of the Jeep, 15-year-old Loxley resident Dezmon San-Juan Minter was pronounced dead at the scene, while 16-year-old Robert Brady Sellers was transported by helicopter to a Pensacola hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.

“We are still working on contacting Sellers’ family and have not yet confirmed where he is from,” Bishop said.

Another teenager in the Jeep, identified as 16-year-old Austin Chase Langham, is currently listed in serious condition.

“We have been in contact with his family and the latest word we have on him is that he is in a coma,” Bishop said.

Two additional passengers in the Jeep were not seriously injured, Bishop said, Rafael Houston Nunez, 16, of Robertsdale is listed in stable condition, while 16-year-old Corey Reed Clem was treated and released.

The driver is the only passenger in the vehicle that was confirmed to be wearing a seatbelt at the time and was reportedly uninjured in the crash, Bishop said.

Baxter, who was pregnant at the time of the accident, is listed in stable condition, Bishop said.

“She has since had her baby and both are doing fine,” he said.

Bishop said investigators continue to work the scene of the crash and anyone driving in the area should exercise extra caution.

Investigators are looking at several factors, Bishop said, including the fact that there were six passengers in the Jeep, which was only set up for five; and the fact that the driver was a 16-year-old with a graduated driver license and should not have been allowed to be driving with underaged passengers.

"Right now we have no reason to believe that alcohol, drugs or excessive speed were factors in the crash," Bishop said.