This week, on the heels of the violent winds and rain of Hurricane Debby, South Florida saw one of its deadliest car crashes in years.
Monday evening, 26-year-old Jorden Hall rode inside a 2023 Ford Explorer with his nephews, 14-year-old Michael “MJ” and 9-year-old Imani, as well as his sister 30-year-old Leina. Hall’s nephews had come from Jamaica to visit family for the first time in Bridgeport, Connecticut, a relative told WPTV. From there, they traveled to Florida with some others for a relative’s 80th birthday party.
The Horrifying Accident
Authorities with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said around 7:30 p.m. Hall’s step-mother, 56-year-old Pamela Wiggins, drove the vehicle west on Hatton Highway. Upon approaching a southbound curve, authorities said Wiggins failed to navigate the sharp turn and the vehicle swerved off the road.
The vehicle went into the grass shoulder, struck a guardrail and turned over as it fell into the canal. It’s unclear how fast Wiggins was going at the time of the crash. By the time the officers and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue medics got to the scene, authorities say the vehicle was upside down and partially submerged. The canal was about six feet deep and muddy from surrounding soil, a Florida Department of Transportation employee told The Palm Beach Post.
A Tragic Loss
Authorities said four passengers were pronounced dead at the scene. Five others were transported to the hospital, two of them life-flighted by helicopter. However, police said they succumbed to their injuries. Police said none of the passengers were wearing seatbelts.
“I’ve been with the department for 20 years, and this is one of the most difficult scenes I’ve been on,” Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Reyes said via NBC Miami.
The only one to make it out alive was Jorden Hall, who authorities said was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. While at the hospital, he gave the heartbreaking news to his brother, explaining how he failed to save the others: 1-year-old Naleia Tucker, 21-year-old Anyia Tucker, 5-year-old Yasire Smith and 3-year-old Ziare Mack and 5-year-old Kamdien Edwards.
“He was telling me that he’s sorry, he’s sorry, he’s sorry. Because when he found my son, he said to me, ‘Michael, I tried to save MJ. When I take him out the vehicle, he was gone, he was gone, he was gone.’” said Jorden’s brother, Michael Hall Sr., via WPTV.
While officials continue investigating the details of the crash, the families of the victims are grieving the sudden loss. Lloyd Hall, who lost his ex-wife, Ms. Wiggins, and grandchildren in the tragedy, said he lamented over the loss of the children.
“It hurts my heart man, to know that all of those young little babies life’s gone like it’s a water grave,” Hall told WPTV. One of those little babies, Kamdien, was remembered by his mother as cheerful, funny, happy baby.
“He was just about to go into kindergarten. He wanted to be a chef and a construction worker,” said Anntianette Edwards to WPBF.
Family members launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses. The Halls told reporters the remains of the children visiting from Jamaica will be sent back out the country for burial.