Poinciana father, Richard Ferguson, convicted in a 2023 crash that killed a grandmother and her three grandchildren, is scheduled to be sentenced today. An Osceola County jury found Ferguson guilty last October on four counts of manslaughter, and he has remained in custody while the court prepares to hand down his sentence.
Sentencing Clock Ticks Down
Local station WKMG reported that Ferguson is set to appear in court today, months after jurors in Osceola County returned guilty verdicts on four manslaughter counts following a multi-day trial. According to ClickOrlando, court paperwork and prior coverage show the verdict came after multiple witnesses took the stand and prosecutors presented days of evidence.
Night Of The Crash
Investigators said the collision happened the evening of Sept. 3, 2023, at the intersection of Laurel Avenue and San Miguel Road in Poinciana, when a white 2012 Chevrolet Impala slammed into a Honda HR‑V. FOX 35 Orlando identified the victims as 50-year-old Trinidad Hernandez and her grandchildren, 1-year-old Mylie Cruz, 9-year-old Marvin Cruz, and 11-year-old Anayari Hernandez.
What Prosecutors Told The Jury
Prosecutors relied on witness statements and vehicle data to argue that the teen behind the wheel ran a stop sign and was speeding just before impact. Reporting by People and other local outlets noted that investigators estimated the Impala was traveling roughly 76 to 83 mph in the moments leading up to the crash. Several teens told investigators that Ferguson had moved a vehicle out of his driveway and allowed the underage driver to take the car, according to those reports.
How Much Time He Could Serve
Ferguson’s four manslaughter convictions leave him facing what local court reporting has described as substantial prison time. WESH reported that prosecutors said Ferguson could face what they characterized as 37 years to life. Other outlets have noted that under Florida law, a single vehicular manslaughter count can carry up to 15 years, depending on how any sentences are structured and whether enhancements apply. The teen driver accepted a juvenile plea and remains in custody under the terms of that agreement, according to local reporting.
Grief, Anger And A Changed Intersection
The crash triggered an outpouring of grief in Poinciana, along with renewed calls for traffic safety improvements at the intersection where the wreck occurred. Local coverage reported that residents set up a roadside memorial for the victims, and county officials later converted the crossing into a four-way stop as part of short-term safety changes after the tragedy.
A judge is expected to hear sentencing arguments on Wednesday, then decide Ferguson’s prison term. The final sentence, along with any timetable for appeals or additional hearings, will be detailed in court records and the judge’s written order.
