9 dead, including 6 kids, after family’s car overturns into Palm Beach canal, deputies say
Ten family members were tucked together in a single SUV on Monday night when, for unknown reasons, it careened into a secluded Palm Beach County canal — where nine were killed, including six children.
Around 7:29 p.m., Pamela Wiggins was driving her nine family members in a 2023 Ford Explorer near the 5800 block of Hatton Highway, just west of Belle Glade, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.
That’s when Wiggins, 56, approached a curve in the road and lost control of the car, for undetermined reasons. She then drove onto the grass, collided with a guardrail and overturned into the canal.
Four were pronounced dead on the scene by fire rescue paramedics; five died at the hospital. The sole survivor remains hospitalized at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
On Tuesday afternoon, authorities released the names of those involved. Jorden Rickey Hall, 26, was the sole survivor. Those deceased are Pamela Wiggins; Michael Anthony Hall Jr., 14; Imani Andre Ajani Hall, 8; Leiana Alyse Hall, 30; Aniya Monique Lee Tucker, 21; Naleia Tucker, 1; Kamdien Edwards, 5; Yasire Smith, 5; and Ziaire Mack, 3.
Authorities have not indicated where the 10 were headed when the crash occurred as the investigation continues.
Florida family reunion
Over the weekend, days before the crash, many of the 10 were in Florida to celebrate Wiggins’ mother’s 80th birthday, she posted on Facebook.
A disco-themed family reunion in honor of Patricia Edwards, who, in many social media posts, was regarded as a loving matriarch who was heavily involved in the large, interconnected Wiggins, Hall and Tucker families.
“Just wanted to say thanks to all my family that traveled to Florida for my mom’s 80th b-day party,” Wiggins wrote.
‘Wake me up from this nightmare’
Shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of their family members, daughters, sisters and cousins took to social media to share their grief.
“Lord, please, wake me up from this nightmare,” posted Patrice A. Wiggins, daughter of Pamela and sister to Leiana. “Lord, I know you make no mistakes, but Lord, I’m having a hard time processing this one.”
In a graceful plea, Wiggins asked to share one last moment with the family she lost.
Brenda Wiggins, a cousin to several of the dead, asked for friends and the community’s prayers on Facebook.
“This is hard! Hurts!” Wiggins said. “My beautiful beloved cousins will be sorely missed.”
Brenda and Patrice’s posts were flooded with condolence messages from friends and family who were similarly shaken by the tragic news.
Over the years, Pamela frequently posted her children and grandchildren on her Facebook. She displayed endless love and admiration for her family through birthdays, first day of schools, family gatherings and holidays.
Yasire turned 5 on Wednesday, and Pamela celebrated the occasion in a post: “ I can’t let this day go by without wishing my bonus grandson a very happy fifth birthday. I love this energetic little boy so much; he is my sour patch kid.”
For Leiana’s birthday on July 1, she posted, “Wishing my beautiful daughter a very happy birthday, I love you more than words can say. I am so proud and happy to be your mom.”
On Ziaire’s third birthday on May 6, she reminisced, “It’s my baby Z’s birthday. Wishing him a happy third birthday, talked to him on the phone [and] he said his name is Money Mack. Can’t wait to see him soon.”
How to help
Patrice Wiggins started a GoFundMe page to help pay for the funeral expenses of her lost family members.
“I am asking that everyone please donate to go towards the funeral costs and the memorial of these precious lives lost,” she wrote.
If you would like to donate please click here.
This story was originally published August 6, 2024 at 10:32 AM.
%20Cropped%20(2).jpg)