Florida Father Convicted After Letting Unlicensed 15-Year-Old Son Drive Car That Killed Grandmother and 3 Grandkids
POINCIANA, FLORIDA — A Florida father has been convicted of manslaughter after allowing his unlicensed 15-year-old son to take the wheel of his car, leading to a high-speed crash that killed a grandmother and her three young grandchildren in 2023.
68-year-old Richard Seymour Ferguson was found guilty by an Osceola County jury on four counts of manslaughter for his role in the deadly collision that killed 50-year-old Trinidad Hernandez and her grandkids, ages 1, 9, and 11, according to court documents reviewed by Law&Crime.
Tragic Crash That Claimed Four Lives
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. on September 3, 2023, at the intersection of San Miguel Street and Laurel Avenue in Poinciana, about 30 miles south of Orlando.
Police say Ri’shard Ferguson, then 15, was driving his father’s white 2012 Chevy Impala with friends inside when he ran a stop sign at more than 75 mph and slammed into Hernandez’s 2022 Honda HR-V.
The impact was catastrophic — Hernandez and her 11-year-old granddaughter died instantly at the scene. Her 9-year-old grandson and 1-year-old granddaughter were rushed to Poinciana Medical Center, but both later died of their injuries.
“The witness did not hear screeching of tires indicating either vehicle applied their brakes,” investigators wrote in the affidavit.
Crash data showed Ri’shard had the gas pedal pressed 100% just before impact, still at 90% when the cars collided.
Witness: Teen Accelerated After Saying “Let’s Go”
A nearby witness told investigators he saw the Impala moments before the crash and heard the teens shout “Let’s go” before flooring the gas pedal.
He estimated the vehicle struck Hernandez’s car “at over 100 mph.” Authorities later calculated the speed between 76 and 83 mph, with no signs of braking.
Father Helped His Son Take the Car
Investigators said Richard Ferguson knowingly helped his son take the car that night.
“He moved another vehicle out of the way so his son could access the Impala,” police wrote.
“He then allowed his son — and three minors under his supervision — to drive off, knowing the boy had no license.”
One passenger later testified that Richard Ferguson told the group, “Remember to put your seatbelts on,” but made no attempt to stop them from leaving.
Son’s Sentence and Father’s Accountability
Ri’shard Ferguson previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and reached a deal with prosecutors. He was sentenced to remain in a juvenile detention center until age 19, followed by two years of supervised release.
His father, however, faced full criminal accountability as an adult.
Osceola County prosecutors argued that Richard Ferguson’s negligence directly enabled the deaths, calling it a case of “catastrophic parental irresponsibility.”
A pre-sentencing investigation is underway, and Ferguson will learn his punishment after the report’s submission within 45 days.
What responsibility should parents bear when reckless decisions lead to tragedy? Share your thoughts and follow breaking legal stories at ChicagoMusicGuide.com.