Family mourns Haitian immigrant killed in truck crash in Florida

It is feeling like 2015 all over again when the news of Sandra Bland’s death spread throughout social media. At the time, it was reported that she’d been found hanged in her jail cell three days after an arrest for a traffic stop. Many Black people, Bland’s family included, were skeptical. Adding to that, a report from a forensic investigator contradicted that of the official report from the Walter County Sheriff’s Department in Texas.

So, you can imagine the anger and frustration Demartravion “Trey” Reed’s family felt when they were told he hanged himself from a tree at Delta State University. His family has requested a separate autopsy amid widespread skepticism that Reed killed himself.

The skepticism many in the Black community feel when a person is alleged to have killed themselves by hanging is understandable given this country’s history with lynchings. According to the NAACP, there were more than 4,700 lynchings from 1882 to 1968, and about 72 percent of the victims were Black. While we don’t know all the details surrounding Reed’s death, it stands to reason why his family might be suspicious of the handling of his death investigation.

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INSIDE THE 305:

Shaq is back with more snacks. See what the former Miami Heat star just dropped

Former basketball star Shaquille O’Neal released his new sneaker-shaped fruit candy Shaq-A-Licious XL Gummies.

Miami-Dade commissioner works for a nonprofit, pushes for wider charity funding

Miami-Dade Commission Vice Chair Kionne McGhee is sponsoring legislation that would create new revenue for county-funded charities after nonprofits were at risk of losing tax-funded grants this year.

Looking for work? How these Miami job fairs can help you survive the slowdown

As the U.S. Labor market worsens, the Miami Herald has compiled a list of job fairs for residents seeking employment.

OUTSIDE THE 305:

‘It’s a big loss for us.’ Family mourns Haitian immigrant killed in truck crash

The family of Rodrigue Dor, who was killed in a fatal semi-truck crash on Florida’s Turnpike in August, mourns his death.

HIGH CULTURE: JSU alum Tramell Tillman makes Emmy Awards history for Severance

This past Sunday, D.C.-native and Jackson State University alum, Tramell Tillman, was awarded the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Tillman, who is the first Black actor and first openly gay man to win in the category, won for his role as Seth Milchick in the Apple TV+ series Severance.

This story was originally published September 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM.

Raisa Habersham

Miami Herald

Raisa Habersham is the race and culture reporter for the Miami Herald. She previously covered Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale for the Herald with a focus on housing and affordability. Habersham is a graduate of the University of Georgia. She joined the Herald in 2022.