GULF SHORES, Ala. — A Pensacola woman was killed in a head-on collision Tuesday that closed Canal Road for several hours and left a teenager injured.

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach police and fire departments responded to the call at approximately 4 p.m.

According to a police report, Tonia Briana Devaney, 17, was traveling east on her way to the Orange Beach Sportsplex on Canal Road when Pensacola resident Samara Santos, heading west, appeared to have lost control of her car and crossed into oncoming traffic. Santos’ Ford minivan collided head-on with Devaney’s Chevrolet Impala. Santos, 20, was instantly killed, the release said.

Devaney, an Orange Beach resident and soccer player for Gulf Shores High School, was transported by medical helicopter to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola. The fire departments had to use the “Jaws of Life” to abstract her from the Impala.

GSHS Principal Ernie Rosado was on the scene of the accident within minutes of the crash.

He said soccer coach Jason Thompson and Devaney’s teammate, who were traveling to the Sportsplex for a soccer game, were the first to arrive.

Gulf Shores Middle School nurse Leslie Blankenship stayed with Devaney until she was removed from the car and transported.

“She was responsive, thank the Lord,” Rosado said.

Rosado said Wednesday morning Devaney had come out of seven hours of surgery and was responsive Tuesday night.

He said he was at the hospital with her until midnight on Tuesday.

According to Rosado, Devaney broke both femurs, her left shoulder, an ankle, her knee was cut to the bone and on Thursday she suffered from a collapsed lung that was later stabilized.

Rosado said Devaney went through a re-evaluation Friday, including a CT scan, to make sure nothing has been missed.

“It’s day by day right now,” Rosado said. “We’ve just got to keep her in our prayers.”

Within 48 hours of the accident the community rallied together to establish the Mardi Gras Classic Soccer Tournament, which kicked off Thursday and concludes today.

The tournament is hosted by Devaney’s soccer team, varsity and junior varsity squads from Gulf Shores, Foley, Hillcrest and Alexander High School.

“We invite the public to open their hearts and help Toni,” Thompson said. “The Gulf Shores High School soccer program is asking for donations to help the family with medical and other expenses as a result of the accident. Thank you for your prayers and any donation you can make.”

“The Alabama Gulf Coast Sports Commission is proud to be able to assist this worthwhile cause as the area rallies around one of its own,” said Beth Gendler, director of sales for the sports commission. 

Santos’ body was taken to the Department of Forensic Sciences in Mobile for an autopsy by Baldwin County Coroner Jim Smalls.

The Gulf Shores Police Department is investigating the accident.