Five Florida teenagers, four of whom were employed at a local Fort Myers steakhouse, died when their car veered off the road on Top Golf Way and submerged into a retention pond, resulting in their deaths.
The five teens, aged between 18 and 19, were found dead in their submerged black Kia sedan on Monday morning, June 26, next to Interstate 75.
The victims, identified as Amanda Ferguson, Eric Cox, Breanna Coleman, and Jackson Eyre, were colleagues at the Fort Myers Texas Roadhouse. The fifth victim, Jesus Salinas, 19, the driver and owner of the car, was Breanna’s boyfriend.
According to a news press, Jackson Eyre had recently graduated from South Fort Myers High School and was set to join Fort Myers Technical College in the upcoming fall. Eyre’s father, Willie Eyre, a former professional baseball relief pitcher and high school baseball team coach, mourned his son’s demise deeply.
Eric Cox, 19, another victim and a recent high school graduate, had a dream to serve as a firefighter, his father revealed. A temporary memorial displaying half-staff flags was erected in front of Texas Roadhouse, paying tribute to the young lives lost.
According to Kristin Capuzzi, Fort Myers Police Department spokesperson, the accident happened between Sunday at 10:30 pm and the early hours of Monday. After being reported missing around 4 am, an investigation was initiated into the crash.
The police later reported that the car had been speeding at 70-75 mph, and that three of the victims suffered severe injuries, but all five died from drowning.
