July 30, 2025
PRESS RELEASE
(Escambia County, Florida), Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida, announces that on July 30, 2025, Sarah Nowlin was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Amy Broderson for leaving the scene of a crash with death to serve fifteen years, with four years mandatory minimum, in the Florida Department of Corrections.
This case arose after law enforcement was called to the scene of a hit and run crash at 400 West Nine Mile Road in Pensacola on January 26, 2024. Upon investigation, it was learned that Nowlin had borrowed a car from a friend and was traveling west bound on W Nine Mile Road when she hit the victim Calvin Garlick from behind and fled the scene. Garlick had just gotten off work and was riding home on a scooter when the crash occurred. As a result of the crash, Garlick died from blunt force injuries and an internal decapitation.
Prosecuting attorney, Charles Britt stated during sentencing, “This defendant knew what she was doing was wrong. Evidence came out that Ms. Nowlin knew she had hit a person, lied about it to everyone, including her 8 year old child who was in the car at the time of the crash, tried to hide the vehicle in a wooded area and continued to cover up the crime in an attempt to evade responsibility. Nowlin had several opportunities to do the right thing, but instead made a calculated decision to choose self-preservation at every turn.”
The investigation and arrest were conducted by the Florida Highway Patrol and Assistant State Attorney, Charles Britt prosecuted this case on behalf of Ginger Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. For further information, please contact Mr. Britt at 850-595-4200.
