A grief-stricken community is rallying for one of its own in big ways.
On Sept. 5 a crash on Immokalee Road left a mother dead and two children with serious injuries. Florida Highway Patrol said a semitrailer failed to stop at a red light and struck the side of the woman’s SUV.
The woman, identified as Heather Anderson, was transported to the hospital where she died. Her son, RJ, and his friend, Brecket King, who were also in the vehicle, sustained serious injuries.
Heather’s obituary describes her as having a “vibrant spirit and infectious enthusiasm for life.”
After the crash, the local community banded together to raise money for the affected families and to call for change.
How is the Naples community reacting to the crash?
The two children involved in the crash, RJ and Brekcet, play football through the Naples Hurricanes Youth Athletic Association. After the organization learned of the crash, leaders planned a fundraiser.
The Pop Warner football team played on Saturday and collected donations for the families of the two injured children. Teams from Estero, Riverdale, Venice, Naples, Fort Myers, and Port Charlotte also donated and collected donations for the families at their fields.
The Naples Hurricanes have made a few posts on Facebook urging the community to send love and support to the victims’ families. The posts have received more than140 comments and over 900 reactions over the past few days.
“We have the BEST community! When support is needed they always come through,” a Naples Hurricanes Facebook post said.
There’s also a GoFundMe page that is accepting donations for the Anderson family. The crowd-funding platform has raised nearly $25,000 as of Sept. 10.
A group of Naples mothers organized a petition on Change.org that urges local government to find a way to make our local roads safer.
The petition states that as Southwest Florida grows, there will be more traffic and more crashes. The group of Naples mothers want the Collier County Commissioners to address traffic safety concerns in the area and implement change.
The petition has more than 2,290 signatures as of Sept. 10.
The county commissioners spoke about the crash at a meeting on Sept. 10.
County officials say they recently received a federal grant to reduce traffic-related fatalities and injuries, and it will be used for a “safe streets for all comprehensive safety action plan.”
The commissioners also discussed red light cameras and police presence around high-traffic areas. In a few weeks, the commissioners will hear more detailed presentations from staff and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office about how to improve road safety.
The petition to have the Collier commissioners address traffic safety concerns is still working on getting to its next goal of 2,500 signatures. You can read through it and sign online.
The Naples Hurricanes are accepting donations for the victims’ families through CashApp. You can donate to $NaplesCanes1 and include “Canes Cares” in the memo.
Maximizing Compensation for Car Accident Victims
At Ovadia Law Group, we believe car accident victims deserve full compensation for their injuries and damages. Our team of skilled attorneys will fight to maximize the compensation you receive, covering medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and emotional distress. We know how insurance companies operate and won’t let them undervalue your claim. From the moment you call, we start building a strong case on your behalf, investigating every detail of the accident. Don’t settle for less than you deserve—call Ovadia Law Group at 1-800-674-9396 for a free consultation, and let us secure the compensation you need to move forward.
Source: naplesnews
