ORLANDO (AP) — Orange County's sheriff says a deputy feared for his safety when he shot a car theft suspect in Orlando.

But Sheriff Jerry Demings on Monday acknowledged there were conflicting witness statements about whether the suspect had his hands up or was making furtive movements.

Sgt. Robert McCarthy shot Cedric Bartee early Monday while he and other officers were trying to prevent Bartee and a passenger from fleeing in the car.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.

Bartee was taken to a hospital for surgery where he was in critical but stable condition.

At a news conference, Demings said he is sensitive to the reaction to recent police shootings in Ferguson, Missouri, and other parts of the country.

He says he aims for transparency in the investigation.

PANAMA CITY — Police have arrested a Southport woman on hit-and-run charges, Panama City Police announced Tuesday.

Police arrested Christina N. Smith, 25.

Monday at about 5:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to Winn Dixie, located at 3157 West 23rd Street, in reference to a hit-and-run traffic crash. Witnesses at the scene told officers that a white female, driving a gold mini-van had struck two other vehicles in the parking lot. When the witness confronted the driver about the crash she drove off. The witnesses were able to give officers a vehicle tag number and described the female driver.

At 7:30 p.m., the Panama City Police Department received a call about a suspicious vehicle in the 1800 block of Mound Avenue. When officers arrived they discovered the gold mini-van and the female driver, identified as Smith. Smith told officers that she knew they were looking for her because she hit a car at Winn Dixie. Smith did not have a driver’s license and was subsequently arrested for operating a motor vehicle without a license and leaving the scene of a crash with unattended property damage.

LYNN HAVEN — The Bay County Sheriff’s Office will offer residents of Bay County the Holiday House Check Program again this holiday season.

The Holiday House Check Program provides house checks while residents are out of town. BCSO volunteers and deputies will periodically check the home while the residents are away and will provide a log of date and times of the checks upon return of the home owner, BCSO said.

To register for the Holiday Home Check Program, call BSCO at 747-4700 and request the Communications Section. Information needed to schedule the house checks includes dates of absence, authorized vehicles and persons that may be present in the home, and resident contact information.

PANAMA CITY — It probably won’t happen to you, but if it does, it would be bad.

Home fires stemming from Christmas tree or other holiday lighting are rare, occurring at only an average of 150 homes around the country each year, according to the National Fire Prevention Association.

When they do happen, however, they are more likely to kill someone than a regular house fire. In fact, one in 40 Christmas tree fires will result in a death; only one of every 142 total home fires will be deadly.

Local fire safety officials have offered tips on everything from choosing a tree to inspecting lights so no one’s holidays are ruined. Lt. Bob Goree, a fire inspector and investigator for the Panama City Fire Department, said it’s impossible to completely fireproof anything, but there are steps to take to reduce the risk of a fire.

“Typically if you have a Christmas tree fire, the tree is going to be dry,” Goree said.

The first thing to know is that not all Christmas trees are created equal; the fresher the tree, the less prone it will be to burst into flames, Goree said. To find a fresh tree, grab it and pick it up; a tree that sheds its needles easily is not as fresh as one with needles that stay put, and a heavy tree contains more moisture than a light one of comparable size, Goree said.

“When you buy your tree, you always want to make sure you have a fresh tree,” Goree said. “A good rule of thumb is — if the tree is heavy, it’s a fresh tree.”

Artificial trees are less dangerous than a real tree, said Capt. Joe Cocco of the Panama City Beach Fire Department.

“Real trees are more dangerous. ... Usually most artificial trees have some sort of fire retardant,” Cocco said. “You’ve got to think of it as a fuel source inside your home.”

Whether real or fake, a tree should be placed a minimum of 3 feet away from any heat source, including candles, fireplaces or space heaters, inside the home. And be sure not to block exits with the tree.

“That’s the reason that a lot of people die in fires. … [T]he means of egress is blocked,” Cocco said.

A real tree will need a water source, and Goree and Cocco recommend the water be replenished daily. There’s no need to add anything to the water; Goree said some people add sugar believing it will keep the tree healthier, but that’s a myth.

In case it doesn’t go without saying, nobody should ever decorate a tree with a candle.

When decorating a Christmas tree, be sure to inspect each strand of bulbs individually before hanging them. Look for bad or broken bulbs and frayed or damaged wires.

“You’re just looking for anything that doesn’t look right or is just worn out,” Cocco said.

Lights that are laboratory tested will be marked with “UL” on a tag on the cord and on the package, and it’s best to plug directly into the socket. But if, after stringing up those lights, the socket is ever so slightly out of reach and an extension cord is required, use a surge protector instead, Goree said.

“That’s another layer of protection,” Goree said.

Unplug the decorations at bedtime and when nobody’s using them, and even though fire prevention experts recommend batteries in smoke detectors be changed every six months or so when Daylight Saving Time begins and ends, it wouldn’t hurt to doublecheck when that tree goes up.

PANAMA CITY — A 19-year-old Panama City man who was arrested and charged with DUI manslaughter has been released after a night in jail, according to Bay County court documents.

Brent A. Taylor, 19, was released Monday on a $50,000 bond after being arrested early Sunday morning on charges of DUI manslaughter. Taylor was placed on a pretrial release program under the stipulation he submit to random urinalysis and restrictions under the program for his role in the crash that left a Southport man dead, officials reported.

Taylor continued driving north of Spikes Road on State 77 for about 350 yards at 7:11 a.m. before pulling off the road, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports. He told officers he didn’t know if he had hit something or what but heard a noise coming from his 2004 Toyota Sequoia and pulled over, FHP reported.

--- TEEN JAILED AFTER DUI FATAL CRASH»»

A moderate odor of alcohol emanated from Taylor’s breath, the officer wrote.

Moments earlier, 33-year-old James E. Thorndyke had dismounted his 2008 Harley Davidson Road King and was standing on the roadside. The cause for Thorndyke’s break along State 77 was unclear from official reports.

However, FHP officers said Taylor veered onto the shoulder by about six inches and hit Thorndyke, launching him onto the grass shoulder. Emergency personnel pronounced Thorndyke dead at the scene.

Taylor performed a series of field sobriety tests on the scene. Officers reported that he consistently failed each but cited a knee injury as an irritant on some. Test results to determine Taylor’s blood-alcohol concentration were pending Tuesday.

Taylor was arrested Sunday at 8:59 a.m. His next court date is scheduled for Jan. 26.

--- TEEN JAILED AFTER DUI FATAL CRASH»»

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Police say a Maryland teenager eating a pot brownie in class panicked when his teacher asked him for a piece of the treat, and that he is now charged for obliging.

Anne Arundel County police said Tuesday that the 17-year-old didn't tell the teacher that the brownie contained marijuana. She began feeling ill and acting disoriented, and was brought to the nurse's office at Broadneck High School in Annapolis on Monday.

--- SHEEP WEARING HOLIDAY SWEATER RETURNED TO OWNER»»

The teacher told police that the student had given her the brownie during third period and that she suspected it contained marijuana.

The student, from nearby Arnold, was charged with juvenile counts of administering a dangerous substance, assault and reckless endangerment. Police did not release his name, and they say he was released to a guardian.

PANAMA CITY — A couple of Panama City residents have been arrested on charges they made purchases with fake money at a local business that builds homes for the impoverished, according to Bay County court documents.

John Christopher Welsh, 29, and Tiffany Vontez Laramore, 26, were arrested Monday after being identified in a police photo lineup as two people who came into the Habitat for Humanity, 1515 E. 11th St., in November and spent about $30 in counterfeit money.

The Habitat ReStore clerk, on Nov. 20, told police  one of the two was a man with a missing front tooth and the other as a woman with “pretty skin and dark hair,” according to Panama City Police reports. The clerk didn’t realize the three $10 bills were fake until attempting to deposit them at Trustmark Bank, police reported.

--- WANTED IN BAY COUNTY»»

The two entered the business as it was about to close and bought a few miscellaneous items. Laramore, a cosmologist, exchanged one $10 bill for the merchandise and told the clerk she could give her 20 percent off for a haircut, police reported. Welsh, listed as unemployed, spent two more fake $10 bills, the clerk told police.

Both Welsh and Laramore went to the police station Monday on an unrelated matter when they were taken to an interview room, police reported. During the interview, Welsh told police he got the money from an individual he would not name but he knew it was counterfeit, police said.

Attempts to contact Welsh or Laramore were unsuccessful.

According to Welsh’s arrest affidavit, a previous attempt to pass the bill was thwarted because of the money’s suspicious appearance. Police reported that Laramore was also present on the previous occasion. However, she told police she did not pass any money at the Habitat for Humanity.

Laramore has been charged with one count of uttering a forged bill and is being held on a $5,000 bond while Welsh was charged with two counts and has a combined bond of $3,000.

The bank confiscated the bills.

--- WANTED IN BAY COUNTY»»

BONIFAY — The State Attorney’s Office says it won’t pursue criminal child abuse or endangerment charges against a Bonifay Elementary School teacher who was found to have been under the influence of drugs while in her classroom.

Third grader teacher Dawn Hersman was placed on an “indefinite leave of absence” by the Holmes County School Board after a complaint was filed alleging the teacher was involved in drug related activity. Hersman remained on an unpaid suspension last week as an internal investigation by the Holmes County School District continues.

Public records show the school district sent Hersman to have a urine and blood test after her “immediate removal” from the classroom. The results of those tests indicated “amphetamines well in excess of toxic levels, thus impairing (Hersman’s) ability to function in the classroom and putting (her) students at risk.”

A complaint was filed with the Office of the State Attorney; however, Chief Assistant State Attorney Greg Wilson said the case would not be pursued because “there is no evidence that her actions or level of intoxication rose to the level of child abuse or endangerment as defined by criminal statute. The school administration took the appropriate actions to insure that Ms. Hersman’s erratic behavior did not endanger the children in her care.”

MOUNT DORA (AP) — A sexual predator has won almost $3 million from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket.

Orlando television station WKMG reported Wednesday that Timothy Poole purchased the winning ticket last weekend at a convenience store in Mount Dora, near Orlando.

Poole is listed on a Florida Department of Law Enforcement website as a sexual predator.

The television station says Poole was arrested in 1999 for on a charge of sexually battering a 9-year-old boy.

Poole denied the allegations but pleaded guilty to attempted sexual battery and was sentenced to time served in jail.

His probation was revoked in 2003 after he failed to show up for counseling sessions. He was sentenced to three years in prison and released in 2006.

Poole tells WKMG he was wrongly accused.

PANAMA CITY — Plea negotiations in the case of a Panama City woman accused of firing a gun on school grounds to protect nearby children from a water moccasin have met a stalemate.

April Dawn Demarco, 30, turned down a plea offer from the State Attorney’s Office during a hearing Wednesday. The details of the proposed agreement were undisclosed. However, attorneys agreed Wednesday to set a February court date to continue discussions.

“We are still in conversations,” said assistant state attorney Devin Collier. “She has completed her community service at a local church and has undergone a firearm safety course.”

Demarco was arrested in early October for discharging a .380-caliber handgun on the practice football field of Bay High School, 300 E. 15th St., during practice for the local Pop Warner football team. Demarco said she was trying to protect children from a moccasin at the time, and the surrounding coaches were ineffective at removing the threat. She missed the snake.

Police arrested Demarco, and she was charged with discharging a weapon or firearm on school property and possession of firearm on school property, both felony offenses.

Demarco’s attorney and prosecutors said they reached an agreement in her case during a November hearing, but Demarco rejected the agreement. Her next court date was scheduled for Feb. 11.

PANAMA CITY — State prosecutors have demanded the defense attorney of a murder suspect reveal confidential attorney client communications.

However, testimony about those communications came during a hearing closed to the public by a Bay County circuit judge Wednesday.

Judge James Fensom cleared his second-floor courtroom of all “non-essential personnel” during an evidentiary hearing in the case of Daryll Mack. Mack, 22, has been charged as one of three accomplices in the July shooting death of 24-year-old Tavish Greene.

During Wednesday’s motion to compel disclosure of attorney-client communications, before Mack’s former defense counsel Timothy Hilley testified, Fensom removed all outside parties from the courtroom — including reporters.

“The attorney-client privilege is very much protected in our system of justice,” Fensom said. “In order to preserve that right, we would need to do that in a closed court because of the sensitive nature of the hearing.”

Fensom added that a transcript of the hearing would be made available. However, it will remain sealed and only made public when the court sees fit.

The state’s motion for an evidentiary hearing, ordering the testimony of Hilley, only reveals that he would testify to communications between himself and Mack “at issue.” Hilley has been relieved as Mack’s defense counsel in the case.

Attorney Albert Sauline III replaced Hilley as Mack’s counsel, representing him Wednesday.

Mack was arrested with Tyricka Woullard, 20, in June. The two fled the state to Covington, Ga., as police discovered Greene’s body in the trunk of a 2004 Chevy Malibu behind an abandoned East Eighth Court home on July 24.

Police have alleged Greene’s death came at the end of a botched robbery, involving three conspiring parties.

One of the three accused, 22-year-old Dontavis Thomas, has pleaded no contest to being an accessory to Greene’s murder. He agreed to five years of probation, punishable by as much as 20 years in prison if the conditions are violated. One condition of his probation is that he testify truthfully in the cases against the co-defendants, according to court documents.  

Mack and Woullard have been charged with second-degree murder and principal to second-degree murder, respectively. Mack also is charged with robbery with a firearm and Woullard, principal to robbery.

Police reports said the three suspects lured Greene to Woullard’s residence at 3710 W. 21st St., where they planned to rob him the morning of July 19. Thomas and Mack allegedly used phone calls and text messages to draw Greene into a trap through Woullard, his ex-girlfriend. The three hid inside, waiting to ambush Greene for money and illegal narcotics; Woullard and Mack then fled to Georgia the day after, police reported.

Thomas remained in Bay County and was arrested shortly after.

The cases of Mack and Woullard proceed toward trial. Each has pretrial conferences in January.

The sealed transcripts would likely be made public during trial or after the cases have otherwise been resolved.

PANAMA CITY — Five people were arrested Wednesday on drug-related charges after police conducted several traffic stops, Panama City Police Department officials announced Thursday.

Investigators with the Street Crimes Unit made several traffic stops Wednesday where five individuals were arrested. During the investigations of the stops, investigators located methamphetamine, marijuana, controlled medication and drug paraphernalia, police said in a news release.

Ashley Nicole Phillips, 25, of Panama City, was arrested for driving while licenses suspended or revoked, possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of methamphetamine. Benny Ray Hopwood, 34, of Panama City, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia. Mary Jordan Cressy, 22, of Panama City, was arrested for possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. William Christopher Lake, 34, of Panama City, was arrested for violation of probation. Thomas Alexander Taylor IV, 34, of Panama City, was arrested for possession of marijuana less than 20 grams, possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia, police said.

Subsequently, all five defendants were transported to the Bay County Jail and booked on their charges.

HINESVILLE, Ga. — Authorities have filed vehicular homicide charges against a Panama City Beach man who they said crashed his car and killed his wife, Georgia State Patrol (GSP) officials reported.

Gerard Lucien Pepin, 62, has been charged with first-degree vehicular homicide after an October wreck in Long County, Ga., ejected his wife, 59-year-old Gina Marie Pepin, from the vehicle. He is being held without bond in the Liberty County, Ga., Detention Center, as Long County does not have a facility.

Gerard and Gina Pepin were driving in a 2007 Ford Mustang on U.S. 301 near George Swindell Road in Long County, a rural area just southwest of Fort Stewart, when the vehicle veered off the highway and crashed into a wooded area, according to GSP reports.

--- TEEN GETS 10 YEARS FOR DUI MANSLAUGHTER»»

Neither of the victims was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident, officers reported.

Gina Pepin was pronounced dead at the scene, while Gerard Pepin was airlifted to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah.

Georgia authorities said they were already on the lookout for the Mustang after a housekeeper at the Richmond Hill hotel, where the couple had been staying, found suspicious items in their room and called police. Reports said the couple departed the hotel at 10:30 a.m. and crashed shortly after noon.

Gerard Pepin, a former psychotherapist to recovering addicts in Callaway, was out on bond stemming from a case in Volusia County in which he was charged with blackmailing a patient for sex in June.

The case is still under investigation by the Georgia State Patrol, Richmond Hill Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

--- TEEN GETS 10 YEARS FOR DUI MANSLAUGHTER»»

LYNN HAVEN — The Panama City Police Department is seeking a man suspected of fraudulent use of a credit card.

The man was seen leaving the Lynn Haven Wal-Mart on Nov. 15. PCPD released a six-second video of the suspect and no other identifying information was available.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PCPD Detective Johnson, (850) 872-3100, or report tips anonymously to CrimeStoppers at (850) 785-TIPS.

--- VIDEO: SUSPECT LEAVES WAL-MART»»

TALLAHASSEE — Florida gun dealers saw a sharp increase in sales as shoppers flooded stores the day after Thanksgiving.

With 8,300 background checks conducted Nov. 28, the traditional start of the holiday shopping period, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement recorded the third-busiest day ever for gun sales in the state, FDLE Commissioner Gerald Bailey said.

The Nov. 28 purchases trailed only the sales for two days in December 2012, which came after the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Bailey said.

“We did roughly 23,000 sales Thanksgiving week,” Bailey said Tuesday after addressing the Florida Cabinet. “On a normal week, we do about 14,000 background investigations on those sales.”

The boost in sales followed the Nov 24 announcement that a grand jury would not indict Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown, a decision that touched off widespread protests. Also the increase came after Florida State University graduate Myron May opened fire Nov. 20 in the lobby of the school’s Strozier Library, wounding three people before being fatally shot by police.

Bailey called the spurt in sales a product of the traditionally busy shopping day.

“I can tell you Newtown had a dramatic increase,” Bailey said. “It’s too early for me to say if Ferguson has had an increase or not.”

National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer deferred comment when asked about the reasons for the boost in sales.

“The American people strongly believe in their God given right to self defense and know that they are responsible for their own safety and security,” Hammer said in an email.

Mark Folmar, owner of Folmar’s Gun and Pawn in Tallahassee, said Wednesday that he hasn’t heard any of his customers say they were buying guns due to Ferguson or the Florida State University shooting.

Folmar added that his customers typically buy guns at the holiday season and at the start of hunting season.

“The majority of our gun sales are to people who already own guns,” Folmar said. “They are the biggest market because they like them. The person who owns three is just as likely to buy a fourth as the person who is going to buy a first one.”

About 3 percent of people applying for gun purchases in Florida are initially denied while at the retailer, Bailey said. However, many of those individuals are eventually able to purchase weapons after providing additional information, he said.

Bailey’s comments came as the Washington, D.C.-based Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence released a report that said background checks on gun purchases have blocked 2.4 million sales to dangerous people since the inception of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act.

“Brady background checks save lives. Brady estimates that they have blocked some 358 purchases every day to dangerous people,” Brian Malte, senior national policy director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said in a release. “Unfortunately, in the majority of states, criminals and other people not allowed to own or buy guns legally are still able to avoid background checks by making purchases online or at gun shows.”

Bailey said the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has been able to cut the time to conduct background checks.

The on-hold time was about 10 minutes in the days after Sandy Hook. For the Nov. 28 sales, the background check time was down to about 1 minute due to legislatively approved staffing increases and the introduction of an online system for retailers to file applications, Bailey said.

As of Nov. 30, there were 1.337 million concealed-weapon or firearm licenses issued in Florida, according to the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The state went over the 1 million mark in December 2012, becoming the first state in the nation to surpass that figure.

PANAMA CITY — A 19-year-old Tennessee man will spend at least 10 years in prison for a drunken Spring Break crash that killed another young visitor to Panama City Beach, a Bay County judge ruled Thursday.

Bruce George, 19, of Nolensville, Tenn., pleaded no contest to DUI manslaughter charges Thursday that stem from a March crash which killed 22-year-old Brandon Beverly, of Knoxville, Tenn. Circuit Judge Michael Overstreet sentenced George to a little more than 10 years in prison, finding the teenager did not deserve treatment as a youthful offender.

In addition, Overstreet sentenced George to speak before high school students two times each year on the dangers of drinking and driving. George also will give the Bay County Chamber of Commerce a presentation on how decisions he made during Spring Break have affected his life, Overstreet ordered.

--- PCB THERAPIST CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN CRASH THAT KILLED WIFE»»

“I regret the people who profit from Spring Break aren’t sitting in this courtroom to witness this,” Overstreet said, as the families of both Beverly and George grieved their losses.

It also was disclosed Thursday that Panama City Beach police questioned George 30 minutes before the crash after he had a minor accident, but didn’t arrest him.

George expressed remorse to the court Thursday, apologizing to Beverly’s family members. He pleaded with Overstreet for the minimum sentence of four years.

“I wish every day it would’ve been me instead of him,” George said. “I never wanted to hurt anyone.”

However, family members urged Overstreet to exercise the maximum sentence and were appalled the sentence could not exceed 15 years.

“When you chose to drink and drive, you chose to take my baby’s life,” Brenda Beverly, mother of Brandon Beverly, told George.

Authorities arrived at Thomas Drive near the Signal Hill Golf Course shortly after 9:15 p.m. on March 9 after a 2001 Ford Taurus sedan careened into a 2013 Panther scoot car. George, driving the Taurus, told authorities he had fallen asleep at the wheel after drinking alcohol since about 1:30 p.m. that day.

George veered into the oncoming traffic before crashing into the scoot car. Brandon Beverly, who was ejected in the crash, was taken to a local hospital and later pronounced dead from his injuries.

George’s blood alcohol content was 0.159, nearly twice the legal benchmark at which a driver is presumed impaired, which is 0.08.

--- PCB THERAPIST CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN CRASH THAT KILLED WIFE»»

Before George was sentenced Thursday, Prosecutor Bob Sombathy argued George had “a rare moment of intervention” almost 30 minutes before the crash when he backed into a car in a Panama City Beach McDonald’s parking lot. Police interviewed George and allowed him to leave after George admitted he was “slightly” buzzed. Authorities cited a lack of resources during Spring Break for not further pursuing the then-18-year-old. George continued to drive.

“Despite the fact he was impaired at McDonald’s, he made the decision to get behind the wheel,” Sombathy said.

George was allowed to leave with his family Thursday. He was ordered to turn himself in to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office at 5 p.m. Jan. 2.

PANAMA CITY — Police have arrested a Panama City man on charges of child molestation, according to court documents.

Harlin Richard Crowley, 25, was arrested Thursday after two children — a 12-year-old and a 9-year-old — said he molested them on more than one occasion. Both of the underage children said Crowley had touched them inappropriately. One of them told authorities he had taken pictures of her in the shower, according to Bay County Sheriff’s Office arrest records.

Investigators said Crowley admitted to touching the 12-year-old and taking pictures, but he denied everything else.

Crowley has been charged with two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of lewd and lascivious exhibition. His bond was set at a combined $25,000.

PANAMA CITY — A sex offender whose release spawned tension between law enforcement and prosecutors has pleaded not guilty to charges he violated his probation, according to court documents.

Horace Monroe Wood, 45, was released the day he was supposed to go to trial at the end of October, although he was accused of sexual battery by four underage victims. The State Attorney’s Office cited conflicting accounts on part of the victims for not being able leverage a more strict punishment, but Wood pleaded no contest to one count of lewd and lascivious molestation and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

Following Wood’s release Bay County Sheriff Frank McKeithen criticized the handling of the case and lack of punishment, stating in a letter to State Attorney Glenn Hess that Wood had “not been held accountable.”

Days later, Wood was arrested for allegedly violating his probation by separating himself from his monitoring device. During his short-lived release, Wood complained of excessive monitoring from authorities.

McKeithen denied officers paid Wood special attention because of the nature of his release.

Wood appeared Friday in court and pleaded not guilty to violating his probation. He faces 15 years in prison if convicted of violating his probation.

A Panama City man remained hospitalized in critical condition Friday after a fatal head-on accident in Okaloosa County on Thursday afternoon.

Christopher M. Shoeller, 35, was driving a 2011 Isuzu box truck that struck a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup shortly before 4:30 p.m. near the south end of State Road 123 near Valparaiso, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. He was critically injured and flown by helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. His condition was unchanged Friday, hospital spokesman Mike Burke said.

Brian Taylor, 35, of Panama City, was a passenger in the box truck. He suffered minor injuries, the FHP reported

The pickup’s driver, 75-year-old Robert Carlisle of Brundidge, Ala. was killed in the wreck.

Carol Harris, 69, of Shalimar, was a passenger in the pickup. She was taken to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in serious condition. Her condition had been upgraded to stable Friday.

According to the FHP, Schoeller was driving south on SR 123 when he “crossed the yellow line into the path” of the pickup. SR 123 was closed for more than three hours after the crash.

Two dogs were in one of the vehicles. One was killed in the crash and the other, described as a small white Maltese, died later from its injuries at Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Niceville, according to an employee.

The accident remained under investigation Friday, according to the FHP.

PANAMA CITY — The early morning shift at Gulf Coast Dermatology was interrupted Friday when FBI agents raided the medical complex on Harrison Avenue in search of documents, authorities said.

The workday of employees at Gulf Coast Dermatology, 2505 Harrison Ave., who arrived at 5:30 a.m. Friday morning was cut short by federal agents. FBI investigators served a federal warrant on the business, evacuating the building and demanding to look through documents; but details of what the agents sought remained unclear as their search spanned most of Friday.

Although the office was closed Friday, staff said it would reopen Monday as usual.

One lab employee, who didn’t want to give her name, said they were handling specimens before the office was set to open when agents entered around 7 a.m. and told them to leave the building. Agents said little about why they were there.

“I have no idea,” the employee said. “It was a ‘Hi, we’re here. You need to finish up.’ ”

Meanwhile, other employees received calls telling them to not report to work.

FBI officials did not return requests for comment Friday. And FBI agents on scene weren’t able to divulge much about what was unfolding.

“We’re executing a federal search warrant, and there’s not any additional comments we’re going to make at this time,” said FBI supervisor Spencer Evans.

Dr. Jon R. Ward, president Gulf Coast Dermatology, did not return a request for comment. Dr. Michael A. Stickler is listed as vice president of the business.

Beth S. Courtney, spokeswoman, said they were not sure what authorities sought; and FBI investigators had not revealed the cause for their search. However, Courtney said they expect to be reopened by Monday.

“We are working to resolve any questions in cooperation with the authorities,” she said. “We do not believe this situation will interfere with our ability to care for patients.”

Gulf Coast Dermatology has 21 locations in north Florida, south Alabama and south Georgia, according to their website, including the one in Panama City. Panama City is the company’s corporate headquarters. No other locations have been closed or raided, Courtney said.

“Gulf Coast Dermatology is committed to quality patient care,” she added. “Although our downtown Panama City office is closed today, all other offices are open and patients continue to be served.”