SUV Crash in Belle Glade Leaves Nine Dead
In a tragic incident that has gained national attention, an SUV crashed into a canal in Belle Glade. The western Palm Beach County SUV crash resulted in nine deaths, including six children. The Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office (PBSO) is investigating the crash. An initial report from WPTV indicated that none of the ten individuals in the vehicle were using “safety equipment.” This includes seatbelts, child car seats, or other equipment designed to keep car occupants safe.
The 2023 Ford Explorer missed a left turn on Hatton Highway, causing the driver to lose control. The vehicle hit a guardrail, flipped over, and landed upside down in the canal, with water reaching the wheels. Four people died at the scene, and five others succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital. The victims included six children aged 1 to 14. The lone survivor, a 26-year-old passenger, remains in serious condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
This tragic SUV crash underscores the critical importance of following Florida’s safety laws. Ensuring that all drivers and passengers use seatbelts, child seats, and other required safety equipment can prevent serious injuries or fatalities.
Florida Law Regarding Mandatory Safety Equipment in Motor Vehicles
Florida law mandates that all drivers, front-seat passengers, and anyone under 18 in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt or use an approved child restraint device. Regardless of whether they are in the front or back seat, children under five must ride in a crash-tested, federally approved child restraint device. The consequences of not adhering to these laws can be devastating. In 2022, 85 child fatalities occurred in Florida, with 50% involving a failure to use the required safety equipment. Sadly, these preventable deaths could have been avoided by simply following the law.
Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley
At Schwed, Adams & McGinley, our experienced personal injury attorneys have decades of legal experience representing those injured in motor vehicle accidents and other personal injury scenarios. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to substantial damages. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today at contact@schwedlaw.com or (877) 694-6079.