Students, faculty and residents around Atmore lost a coach, coworker and friend Wednesday morning in a fatal accident in Baldwin County.

William Casaday, the head softball coach and drivers education teacher at Escambia County High School, was killed in a head-on crash on Phillipsville Road, while on his way to the school.

According to press release from the Alabama Department of Public Safety, the crash occurred at 6:35 a.m. on Phillipsville Road approximately eight miles north of Bay Minette. Casaday, 30, was traveling north when the 2010 Hyundai Elantra he was driving traveled into the southbound lane and collided with a 2004 F250 being driven by Timothy Andrew Bush, 17, of Bay Minette.

Casaday was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Bush was transported to North Baldwin Infirmary where he was treated for injuries. State Troopers continue to investigate the accident.

Word of Casaday’s accident quickly spread throughout Escambia County Wednesday.

Escambia County Board of Education Superintendent Billy Hines said ECHS principal Zickeyous Byrd informed the faculty, staff and students of the tragedy this morning. He added that counselors were dispatched to the school.

“We immediately dispatched our counselors from across the county to Escambia County High School to be there for the students during this difficult time,” Hines said. “We are allowing the students to seek counseling throughout the day if needed. We do, however, encourage the students to stay in school to be with their classmates.”

Casaday was also preparing to be the basketball coach at Perdido Middle School in Baldwin County.

For more on this story, see Saturday’s Atmore Advance or log onto www.atmoreadvance.com <https://www.atmoreadvance.com/>

Publisher Adam Prestridge contributed to this report.