New Details Released In Fatal Florida Crash With Ties To Bridgeport

BRIDGEPORT, CT — The nine people from a Bridgeport family, who died in a crash in Belle Glade, Florida on Monday, died from drowning after the flipped over SUV became submerged in a canal, the Palm Beach Post reported.

Additionally, members of the National Transportation Safety Board have traveled to Belle Glade, and have launched an investigation into the crash, which is separate but in tandem with the investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The determination of the cause of death is from the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner's Office, which also ruled the manner of death as accidental, according to the Palm Beach Post.

"As part of our safety investigation, the NTSB will analyze the facts, determine the probable cause of the crash, and issue a final report and any necessary safety recommendations," said Jennifer Gabris, a spokesperson for the NTSB, in a statement to Patch. "The vehicle has been recovered and investigators will examine it and conduct a forensic examination for electronic data. NTSB investigators will examine the following areas: vehicle factors, highway design, and human factors. The investigative team will be onscene for 5 to 7 days to thoroughly document the crash site and gather factual information. A preliminary report, which will include factual information, is expected in about 30 days."

News 12 Connecticut reported that no one in the vehicle was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The victims are members of Lloyd Hall's family, a custodian at Bridgeport's Dunbar Elementary School, and they were in Florida for the 80th birthday celebration for a relative.

Ten people were in the 2023 Ford Explorer at the time of the crash, and only one person survived, Jorden Rickey Hall, 26, Lloyd's son, who remains hospitalized in serious condition.

The deceased victims were:

Pamela Wiggins, 56

Leiana Alyse Hall, 30

Anyia Monique Lee Tucker, 21

Michael Anthony Hall Jr., 14

Imani Andre Ajani Hall, 8

Kamdien Edwards, 5

Yasire Smith, 5

Ziaire Mack, 3

Naleia Tucker, 1

Lloyd Hall has gone back to work as a way to deal with his grief, reported The Hour, but admittedly is struggling with the weight of the losses.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched this week to help with funeral and memorial costs, and as of Thursday evening, it had raised more than $63,000 toward a goal of $100,000.

Read the Palm Beach Post story; read News 12 Connecticut story; read The Hour story.