Posted on 03/15/2026 8:18:05 PM PDT by xxqqzz
ORLANDO, Fla. (WESH/CNN NEWSOURCE/WKRC) - A Florida judge sentenced a 70-year-old man to 37 years in prison Wednesday for a 2023 crash that killed four members of one family.
Richard Ferguson was convicted in October 2025 of manslaughter after prosecutors said he allowed his unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive his car. Authorities said the teen, who did not have a permit, crashed into another vehicle, killing three children and their grandmother.
(Excerpt) Read more at local12.com ...
Race aside, “he allowed his unlicensed 15-year-old son to drive his car”. Four people killed! Sounds like a just sentence to me.
DAD IS 70????
KID IS 15????? SIRED KID AT AGE 45???
HOW OLD IS MOM????
Looks like the teen was allowed to drive unsupervised. He was speeding up and did not stop at a stop sign. He was riding with friends. I’m not sure if the father knew about that.
55
55, not 45.
“DAD IS 70????
KID IS 15????? SIRED KID AT AGE 45???”
https://www.google.com/search?q=google+calculator&oq=google+calc
check your math...
Tragic outcome for all involved, but a just sentence nonetheless. You simply can’t let a unlicensed kid drive your car. Period. And if you do, and things for awry, it’s absolutely on you.
I’ve certainly known many parents and others (e.g., the older sibling or coach trying too hard to be the “cool adult”) who were guilty of this. As far as I know, they all got lucky, as no one got hurt or killed.
“I’m not sure if the father knew about that.”
He knew. He watched them drive away.
It is a just sentence.
“I’ve certainly known many parents and others (e.g., the older sibling or coach trying too hard to be the “cool adult”) who were guilty of this. “
I never knew anyone that let a 15 year old take their car joyriding with friends.
Math? They didn’t tell me there would be math involved in this forum.
A unleashed pit bull.
Gathering a child at age 45 is not all that unusual.
Many young women think the men their own age (late 20s 30s)
are too immature or still too wild. These women will try to attract an older man who they trust enough to have a baby with, also. the older gent is likely to be so flattered that a young woman would even look at him. He is likely to be grateful for the young companion and thus. easier for the girl to control. I know a few people like this.
If the son had driven without permission, would he only have gotten 3 years? I think some punishment of the father was warranted, but, ultimately, it was the son who ran the stop sign, and he should bear the majority of the blame. 37 years is a death sentence for a 70 year-old. This would not be considered a death penalty-worthy crime in other circumstances.
A few more details.
https://www.tampabay.com/news/crime/2026/02/19/florida-dad-let-son-drive-traffic-crash-fatal/
The question I have does this verdict set a precedent that drivers with unlicensed family members need to lock up their car keys?
Gathering = Gathering
Typo curse of big fingers
Yeah, that seems wrong.
Fathering
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.