BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — Five people from Connecticut were among the nine people who died when an SUV went out of control on a South Florida road, hit a guardrail and went upside down into a canal, authorities said.
The 2023 Ford Explorer carrying 10 people was traveling south on Hatton Highway near the farming community of Belle Glade at about 7:30 p.m. Monday, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.
Driver Pamela Wiggins, who would have turned 57 on Tuesday, failed to negotiate the turn and went off the road, the sheriff’s office said. The overloaded SUV hit a guardrail before flipping into the canal, which runs parallel to the road. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Reyes told reporters that the SUV was upside down and partially underwater when crews arrived.
Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while five died at the hospital. In addition to Wiggins, the dead were identified as Leiana Alyse Hall, 30; Anyia Monique Lee Tucker, 21; Michael Anthony Hall Jr., 14; Imani Andre Ajani Hall, 8; Kamdien Edwards, 5; Yasire Smith, 5; Ziaire Mack, 3; and Naleia Tucker, 1. A 26-year-old male passenger was rescued and was said to be in serious condition.
Anntianette Edwards of Bridgeport said that her only child, Kamdien, was killed in the crash along with eight of his cousins and other relatives. She told News 8 that five of the victims were from Connecticut. The other four were from Virginia and Jamaica.
Several victims from Bridgeport were related to a person who works as a school custodian there. Superintendent Carmela Levy-David released a statement extending the district’s sympathies to the worker, whom it did not identify.
“Together, as a community, we stand with our colleague, offering our prayers, support and love,” Levy-David said.
Edwards said her loved ones had been in Florida for a family birthday party and were on their way to the airport for a flight back to Connecticut.
“I knew something was wrong, called the airplane, they said they didn’t get on their flight,” she said. “It’s like a bad dream.”
Edwards said Kamdien was just about to enter kindergarten.
“He was cheerful, funny, not scared of nothing. A daredevil. He was just a happy baby; we gave him everything he wanted,” she said.
Family of the nine victims have set up an online fundraiser as they ask for donations to help cover the cost of the funerals. As of Wednesday morning, it raised over $16,000.
“My family has been through a lot, and I just need everyone to just pray,” said Antoine Wright, a cousin of the victims. “My family is going to need a lot of strength and prayer and support in this situation.”
According to Ford dealership websites, 2023 Explorers have a maximum capacity of seven. The crash report said none of the occupants were wearing seat belts or using child restraints.
“I’ve been with the department for 20 years, and this is one of the most difficult scenes I’ve been on,” Reyes said.
Belle Glade is just south of Lake Okeechobee and about 45 miles west of West Palm Beach.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
