An Osceola County man has been convicted on four counts of manslaughter after his teen son was involved in a fatal crash that claimed the lives of four individuals. Richard Ferguson, 68, faced a jury after prosecutors asserted that he allowed his unlicensed 15-year-old son, Ri'Shard Ferguson, to operate a vehicle without supervision, resulting in the tragic accident. According to WFTV, the car driven by Ri'Shard was captured on video crossing speeds over 100 mph at the time of the crash.
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence showing the teen driving the car, and witnesses testified that Ferguson had allowed his son to drive. This decision by a father has now concluded with a conviction, marking a solemn closure to the case. The tragic incident, which occurred on Sept. 3, 2023, resulted in the deaths of Trinidad Hernandez and her three young grandchildren. Ferguson is now facing a potential sentence of 37 years to life imprisonment. In the aftermath, as reported by WESH, the victims' mother, Sabrina Hernandez, spoke outside the court, saying, "We've waited two years for justice — and today, we finally got it."
Ferguson, who denied permitting his son to drive, testified in his own defense throughout the trial. Nonetheless, the jury rendered a verdict firmly against him. Meanwhile, Ri'Shard Ferguson has previously accepted a plea deal, admitting to reckless driving, and will be under juvenile custody until he turns 19, as WFTV reports. He is then to remain under supervision until he reaches the age of 21. His attorney has stated that Ri'Shard has taken responsibility for his actions.
With the trial concluded and the verdict delivered, Sabrina Hernandez and her family expressed hope that this outcome would bring them solace after enduring years of pain. "We believe this is a right decision," Hernandez told WESH. "We will never get our family members back." Ferguson's attorney, Caleb Robinson, expressed disappointment at the outcome and mentioned their intention to review options going forward. Ferguson remains incarcerated at the Osceola County Jail, with his sentencing expected to occur within the next 60 days.
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