Fatal Crash in Belle Glade Leaves One Dead, Passenger Seriously Injured

A tragic crash involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck in Belle Glade has left one man dead and another person seriously injured, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office (PBSO).

Authorities continue to investigate what caused the collision as the community mourns another fatal crash on South Florida roadways.

The crash occurred Thursday evening around 6:43 p.m. near the 14000 block of U.S. 27 South in Belle Glade.

According to investigators, a 2020 Hyundai Elantra driven by Julius Brown Jr., 52, of Lakeland, was traveling southbound when the vehicle became involved in a crash with a semi-truck.

Emergency responders pronounced Brown deceased at the scene.

His passenger, Carrine Cole, 40, of North Miami, was transported to Delray Medical Center with serious injuries.

The driver of the semi-truck, a 50-year-old man from Miami, was not injured in the collision.

Details from the Investigation

Investigators reported that after the crash:

• The Hyundai rotated and came to rest on the left shoulder of the roadway
• The semi-truck stopped on the right shoulder south of the crash site
• The driver of the Hyundai was not wearing a seatbelt
• The passenger was wearing a seatbelt

Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash and continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the collision.

Serious Risks in Collisions With Semi-Trucks

Crashes involving large commercial trucks often result in catastrophic or fatal injuries due to the significant size and weight difference between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles.

Common factors in truck-related crashes may include:

• Driver fatigue or distraction
• Speed or improper lane changes
• Poor visibility or roadway conditions
• Mechanical failures
• Failure to maintain a safe following distance

A thorough investigation typically includes reviewing crash scene evidence, vehicle data, driver logs, and potential surveillance footage to determine liability.

Legal Options After a Fatal or Serious Truck Accident in Florida

When a crash results in death or serious injury, surviving family members and injured victims may have the right to pursue compensation if negligence played a role.

Potential compensation in a Florida wrongful death or serious injury claim may include:

• Funeral and burial expenses
• Medical bills and future treatment costs
• Loss of income and financial support
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship and emotional support

Even when a crash appears straightforward, multiple parties — including commercial carriers, maintenance providers, or other drivers — may share responsibility.

Contact a Florida Truck Accident and Wrongful Death Attorney

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent victims and families across Florida in serious injury and wrongful death cases arising from truck and vehicle crashes.

Our firm focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death claims and maintains a deliberately small caseload so every client receives direct attention from an experienced attorney.

If your family has lost a loved one or someone has been seriously injured in a truck accident, contact our office today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights and options.