Fanning Springs man dies in head-on crash

By Carrie A. Mizell

A Cross City driver traveling the wrong way on US 19 caused a head-on collision that killed an elderly Fanning Springs man.
Thomas Bailey, 67, of Fanning Springs, was on his way to work as the manager of Chiefland Golf and Country Club when he encountered a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes of US 19.
The head-on collision occurred at 5:21 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Keith Shane Bush, 40, of Cross City, was traveling north in the southbound lanes of US 19 near NW 23rd Avenue when he drove into the path of Bailey’s 1995 Buick Roadmaster.
“Bush was driving on the wrong side of the roadway in the wrong direction against oncoming traffic,” explained Trooper C.K. Harris of the Florida Highway Patrol.
After the initial collision, Bush’s vehicle caught fire and began to burn. The driver was pulled from the fire and was transported to Shands Hospital with serious injuries.
A blood alcohol test was performed and charges are pending as the investigation continues.