Nine people, including six children, died Monday night, August 5, 2024, when an overloaded SUV veered off Hatton Highway in Belle Glade, Florida, in western Palm Beach County, and flipped into a canal. One passenger, 26-year-old Jorden Hall, survived and remains hospitalized with serious injuries.
The 2023 Ford Explorer was traveling westbound when the driver, Pamela Wiggins, 56, failed to negotiate a left curve. The vehicle veered off the road, crashed into a guardrail, and overturned into the canal. The vehicle, which has a maximum capacity of seven passengers, was overloaded with ten people, including six juveniles.
Emergency responders from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue were some of the first to arrive at the accident scene. Captain Tom Reyes, a 20-year veteran of the department, described the situation as one of the most challenging he has experienced. Upon their arrival, the responders discovered the vehicle overturned and partially submerged in the canal.
According to a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, four victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while six others were transported to a local hospital. Five of those transported died from their injuries, including the female driver, Wiggins.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families during this heartbreaking incident,” the sheriff’s office said. “We have one survivor for a total of 10 victims.”
Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson extended his condolences and emphasized the city’s dedication to improving road safety. He noted that they are keeping the affected families in their thoughts and are actively working to enhance road safety measures. Wilson mentioned that the city is installing additional lighting and guardrails but acknowledged that more can be done to ensure safety.
In the “Safety Equipment” section of the crash report, it was indicated that none of the 10 occupants of the vehicle were using any safety equipment. The report didn’t clarify what type of safety equipment this referred to. Nonetheless, according to Florida law, all drivers and front-seat passengers, as well as anyone under 18 years old, must wear a seat belt or be in a proper child restraint device. Florida law mandates that children aged five and under must be secured in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device, such as a forward-facing or rear-facing car seat or a booster seat.
Investigators are examining the cause of the crash, and the National Transportation Safety Board is gathering additional information. While rainstorms were in the area that evening, officials have not determined if weather played a role in the accident.
In addition to Wiggins, the deceased have been identified as Leiana Alyse Hall, 30, Anyia Monique Lee Tucker, 21, as well as six children, ages 14, 8, two five-year-olds, a three-year-old, and a one-year-old.
