Recovered/Located FL - Donna Sellers, 65 (alive) & Linda Dinger, 81 (deceased), Milton to Wewahitchka, 11 Oct 2020

[killarney rose]

If they live in Wewa, (local name) they left there to pick up the ramp in Milton which is west of Wewa. Whatever happened, took place as they were supposed to be headed east towards home.

 

[oviedo]

Im pretty sure they're in a Sorento. I have had both. Ive been comparing the photos. We’re a KIA family, lol. The Sportage is the smaller SUV, the Sorento is the next size up. It might make a slight difference in what folks are looking for.

We have a Kia Sportage as well - I’m so worried for these women

 

[LadyL]

The Sorento has the silver bar across the back hatch. The Sportage doesn't. the car in the photo has the silver bar.

maybe send an email to police and let them know?

 

[LadyL]

Map says 2.5 Hr drive from Milton to Wewahitchka.

looks like they would've passed close to water several times
I wonder if there are any cliffs they could've ended up down

 

[killarney rose]

No cliffs, the land is flat, but there are wooded places and water where they could've run off the road.

 

[killarney rose]

I posted on the sheriff’s page about the discrepancy in the models. A man who is supposedly Donna’s husband replied it was his fault but doesn't think it matters as long as the part about it being a red KIA gets out.
Someone else posted they have to cross a bridge to get home. I hope that area is being checked thoroughly.

 

[killarney rose]

The Midway Bridge.

 

[killarney rose]

The husband posted Midway Bridge. I wonder if he has that confused as well? There is a Mid Bay toll bridge in the area.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Found safe!!!

Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office
Update: We are happy to say these individuals have been located and safe. Thanks to all of you who shared to assist!

Missing Endangered Adults!
Donna Sellers and Linda Dinger left their residence in Wewahitchka in Gulf County on October 11th on their way to Milton. They were driving a 2007 red Kia Sportage pulling a dual axle utility trailer. The car's hood has Betty Boop surrounded by hearts on it, and there are various stickers on the back windshield.
They were spotted by toll camera on the 11th going southbound on the Mid-Bay Bridge towards Destin.
Anyone who has information on these missing individuals or their car and trailer is asked to contact the OCSO immediately at 850.651.7400 or the Gulf County Sheriff's Office 850.227.1115 (option 4).

 

[killarney rose]

Great news!

 

[killarney rose]

Thats odd, the sheriff’s page is not accessible now.

 

[KatzEye]

Nixle from Okaloosa SO regarding traffic this morning. Can't confirm it's related, but rabbit holes say it might be. JMOO

https://local.nixle.com/okaloosa-county-sheriffs-office

Also, can't confirm this Tweet is related.

https://twitter.com/WEARDanielg/status/1316388320755277825

Traffic blocked after fatal accident on I-10 in Okaloosa County

 

[PayrollNerd]

Thats odd, the sheriff’s page is not accessible now.

I noticed that post is inaccessible. I think when they updated it with the "found" notice, they turned off comments. I couldn't see the comments at that point. I thought it was a fluke, so I exited and tried to go back in and couldn't. Makes me think they took the post down.

ETA: I took the screenshot at 10:31am today so I don't know if the traffic accident is related.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Ok, well that accident was related..... Ms. Dinger passed away as a result but Mrs. Sellers survived. I'm trying to get a link to work. It is the Gulf County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
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[JerseyGirl]

Ok, well that accident was related..... Ms. Dinger passed away as a result but Mrs. Sellers survived. I'm trying to get a link to work.
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View attachment 267844

Gulf County Sheriff's Office
*** UPDATE ON MISSING AND ENDANGERED ADULTS ***
Sellers and Dinger were located today by the Florida Highway Patrol in a vehicle accident near mile marker 64 on Interstate 10. We are saddened to report that Ms. Dinger was found deceased. Mrs. Sellers is alive and was transported to a local hospital in Okaloosa County. Her condition is unknown. The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting the accident investigation and information pertaining to their findings will be released by their agency.

 

[PayrollNerd]

So sad to be trapped for so long. Heartbreaking.

WEAR ABC 3 News, Pensacola
BREAKING: The missing Gulf County women are the victims in the Okaloosa County fatal accident. Linda Dinger (right) died in the crash, while Donna Sellers (left) is critical. Both were trapped in the vehicle since crashing Sunday before being recovered Wednesday morning.

 

[glittercheese]

"Florida Highway Patrol confirms 81-year-old Linda Janette Dinger died in the accident, while 65-year-old Donna Green Sellers is in critical condition." [BBM]
Victims in Okaloosa County fatal accident confirmed as missing Gulf County women

So from the above linked article, officials think the accident occurred on Sunday night, but it wasn't discovered until Wednesday morning. How awful. I wonder if Linda would have survived if they had been discovered earlier, or if she died instantly in the accident.

 

[killarney rose]

This is what i was afraid had happened. Questions....did Donna have experience pulling the trailer? Why did the husband not accompany them? No blaming, just curious.

 

[KatzEye]

"Florida Highway Patrol confirms 81-year-old Linda Janette Dinger died in the accident, while 65-year-old Donna Green Sellers is in critical condition." [BBM]
Victims in Okaloosa County fatal accident confirmed as missing Gulf County women

Also from this article :

BBM

FHP says that a passerby spotted the vehicle and trailer around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday in the median on I-10 in Okaloosa County near mile marker 64.

FHP believes the crash happened Sunday night when the vehicle/trailer "lost control and traveled into the thick wooden center median." It overturned and came to a rest on the driver's side.

Both women were trapped inside the vehicle since Sunday night. Crews on Wednesday morning found Dinger dead from the accident, while Sellers has been taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The article also mentions that Linda was Donna's mother. Heartbreaking !

Rest in peace, Linda. I so wish you both could have been found much, much earlier. Condolences and sympathy to the family and friends as they go through this heartbreaking ordeal.

 

[PayrollNerd]

"Florida Highway Patrol confirms 81-year-old Linda Janette Dinger died in the accident, while 65-year-old Donna Green Sellers is in critical condition." [BBM]
Victims in Okaloosa County fatal accident confirmed as missing Gulf County women

So from the above linked article, officials think the accident occurred on Sunday night, but it wasn't discovered until Wednesday morning. How awful. I wonder if Linda would have survived if they had been discovered earlier, or if she died instantly in the accident.

Wow how sad that a helicopter or drone couldn’t see them from above. How many vehicles passed by but didn’t notice the trailer & vehicle on its side?

“FHP says that a passerby spotted the vehicle and trailer around 7:50 a.m. Wednesday in the median on I-10 in Okaloosa County near mile marker 64.”

FHP believes the crash happened Sunday night when the vehicle/trailer "lost control and traveled into the thick wooden center median." It overturned and came to a rest on the driver's side.