The names of the nine family members who were killed in a horrific car wreck have been revealed.
Tragedy occurred on Tuesday (August 6) night when a packed SUV with four adults and six children ran off a road on Hatton Highway in Belle Glade, Florida, about 70 miles from Miami, around 7:30pm, as reported by NBC News.
According to The New York Post, the family was being driven by Pamela Wiggins in their 2023 Ford Explorer when the crash unfolded.
The vehicle slammed into a guardrail and landed upside down in a canal, where it became so submerged that only its wheels were visible. It is unclear why the driver lost control of the vehicle.
Hours before the heartbreaking accident, Wiggins, 56, revealed on social media that her mother’s extended family traveled from across the country to party at her mother Patricia Edwards’ disco-themed birthday bash on Saturday.
The 56-year-old shared two pictures of family members wearing 70s-style hairpieces and peace earrings in front of a “Let’s Boogie” sign.
“Just wanted to say thank to all my family that traveled to Florida for my mom’s 80th bday party. We really appreciate the love,” she wrote on Facebook just after midnight Monday. “My mom really enjoyed herself and I will post pictures later love you all.”
But Wiggins never posted the pictures as just eight hours later, nine members of the family tragically lost their lives in the 7-seater SUV. Reportedly, none of them were wearing seatbelts.
As reported by the Daily Mail, the victims murdered have now been named as Wiggins, Leiana Alyse Hall, 30, Anyia Monique Lee Tucker, 21, Imani Hall, eight, Kamdien Edwards, five, Yasire Smith, five, Zaire Mack, three, and Naleia Tucker, one.
Only one passenger, a 26-year-old male, survived the deadly wreck and was hospitalized at St. Mary’s Medical Center in serious condition.
“I’ve been with the department for 20 years, and this is one of the most difficult scenes I’ve been on,” Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Tom Reyes said.
A GoFundMe was set up by Patrice Wiggins, the daughter of one of the nine victims who died in the fatal car crash. As of this writing, $77,181 has been raised of the $100,000 goal.
"I am setting up this GoFundMe for the nine victims. It was three adults and six children," she wrote. "I am asking that everyone please donate to go towards the funeral costs and the memorial of these precious lives lost. Thank you for your donation and God bless."
Board member Alvin Brown revealed during a news conference that investigators arrived in Belle Glade and will work with Palm Beach County deputies for the next week. They will release a preliminary report in about a month.
Bridgeport mayor Joe Ganim voiced his condolences, saying: “The amount of grief that comes from losing a loved one is never easy, and unfortunately, this instance calls for an unparalleled amount of sorrow," per NBC.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy.
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