Eight Dead, 10 Injured After Van Crashes in Glades County

UPDATE 12:30 P.M. – The names of those who passed away in the crash have been released.

• Volsaint Marsaille (driver), 58
• Jude Petit-Frere, 66
• Obernise Petit-Frere, 58
• Lifaite Lochard, 58
• Madeleine William, 53
• Wanie Larose, 50,
• Dazilla Joseph, 79
• Servilus Dieudonne, 71

Only one victim was from Port St. Lucie while the rest resided in Fort Pierce. Three passengers have been listed in critical condition, three in serious condition, two have minor injuries and one is in fair condition. Only one person has been discharged from the hospital.

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Eight people died and 10 more were injured when a church van returning from Palm Sunday services was involved in a car accident in Glades County on Monday around 12:30 a.m.

According to TCPalm.com, the van ran through a stop sign and crossed all lanes of U.S. 27 before landing in a partially filled canal. The van was headed back to Fort Pierce after a weekend convention in Fort Myers. Eighteen people were in the van; seven passengers and the driver are confirmed dead.

Ten passengers were taken to four hospitals in the area. One of the victims, a 4-year-old child, was listed in stable condition; two others were classified as trauma alerts. Two others were listed in critical condition, another two are in stable condition and one crash victim, Faeyana Desirus, has been released from the hospital. The conditions of the other bus passengers have not been released.

Names of the victims involved in the crash have not been released.

15-Passenger Van Accidents

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), there were more than 1,500 fatal 15-passenger van crashes between 1994 and 2004.

Some of the main causes of these accidents include loading the van beyond capacity, tire blowouts, and lack of safety features.

Unfortunately, many passengers fail to use their seatbelts while aboard these types of vehicles, which is why accidents involving 15-passenger vans are often fatal.

Members of the Independent Haitian Assembly of God Church say that those on the bus told them the brakes didn’t work before the accident. Police are still investigating the crash scene to determine the precise cause of this tragic accident.

Gordon & Partners extends their deepest condolences to all those affected by this crash.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a 15-passenger van accident, or if you have lost a loved one in a van collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses. The Florida personal injury lawyer team at Gordon & Partners can help you determine what your legal options are.

For a free case review, call 1 (855) 722-2552 or fill out an online contact form.