Ashley Hunter: Greene Publishing, Inc.
On Tuesday, Aug. 16, around 3:34 p.m., Jessica Mullinax, 20, of Madison, was traveling southbound on Little Cat Road (County Road 146) when Michael Taggart, 54, also of Madison, who had been traveling northbound on Little Cat Road, turned left in front of Mullinax's 2007 Pontiac G5. The front left of Taggart's 1995 Pontiac Econoline collided into the front left of Mullinax's vehicle, an impact that pushed Taggart's van back 20 feet and caused the van and trailer that was being towed to block both lanes of travel. The collision also propelled Mullinax's car to spin 180 degrees and come to a rest on the eastern shoulder of the road.
Taggart suffered minor injuries and complained of arm pain when first responders arrived on the scene. The Madison County Sheriff's Office was first to arrive and were quickly followed by Madison Fire Rescue (MFR) and Madison County EMS, who transported Taggart to Madison County Memorial Hospital.
First responders from MFR and EMS worked to extract an unconscious Mullinax from the vehicle. After being extracted, she was transported to a landing zone by Madison County EMS and air lifted to Tallahassee Memorial Hospital (TMH) via ShandsCair.
As of press time, Mullinax was reported to have suffered a serious head injury, and she underwent surgery, which seemed to stabilize her condition. Hospital staff and family are continuing to keep a close watch on her condition, in the TMH Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The investigation of the wreck by Florida Highway Patrol is still pending and charges towards Taggart have yet to be released.
In order to help with Mullinax's medical expenses, Team Jessica t-shirts are being sold.
The shirts are $20 each and on them reads the Bible verse, The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:14). Also the wordage “Team Jessica” will be at the top of the shirt and Mullinax's favorite animal, a sea turtle, will be displayed in the middle.
In order to receive a Team Jessica t-shirt, please call Devin Thompson at (850) 464-7945.