A 16-year-old boy turned himself in to authorities on Friday after being charged in connection to a tragic crash in Poinciana, Florida, that killed four people, including three children.
Ri’Shard Laroy Ferguson faces multiple charges, including driving without a license, causing serious injury in a crash, and four counts of vehicular homicide, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP). Officials say that on September 3, 2023, Ferguson was driving at a high speed when he ran a stop sign and crashed into the side of an SUV at the intersection of San Miguel Street and Laurel Avenue.
The crash killed a 50-year-old woman and three children—a 1-year-old girl, a 9-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl. A man in his 50s, who was also in the SUV, was seriously injured and had to be hospitalized.
Father Also Arrested
Authorities also arrested Ferguson’s father, 68-year-old Richard Ferguson, for allowing his son to drive the car. He is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter. During his first court appearance, a judge set his bond at $60,000, or $15,000 for each victim.
Grieving Mother Seeks Justice
Sabrina Hernandez, the mother of the three children who died and the daughter of the 50-year-old woman, spoke out at a vigil shortly after the crash.
She expressed forgiveness toward the teen but insisted that he be held accountable. She also called for better traffic enforcement in Poinciana.
“Are we not worth it in Poinciana? Do we count at all?” she asked. “I won’t stop until I get justice for my family. He ran that stop sign, took my family’s lives, and still got to wake up today. My family didn’t.”
Next Steps
Ri’Shard Laroy Ferguson is now being held at a juvenile detention center, while his father remains in the Osceola County Jail. Authorities continue to investigate the case, and the community is mourning the tragic loss of four lives.
