Fort Myers pastor pledges to help family of child killed in Alligator Alley crash

Gaspearod Maxon was stuck in the traffic jam created by a crash Thursday that claimed the life of a 1-year-old and left several people injured on Alligator Alley in Broward County. He was on his way to a bible study in Miami. Now, the Fort Myers pastor has the entire family in his prayers.

“That’s really sad,” Maxon said. “I’m going to see how I can help.”

A tire blew out on a truck carrying seven people. The vehicle then went through a fence and flipped into knee-deep water along the interstate.

“I feel bad for them; accidents happen,” said Sammy Heroe of Miami. “It sucks when it happens to your family.”

A 1-year-old was missing after being ejected from the vehicle. He was not restrained, and troopers say three other children – ages 10, 8 and 4 – and three adults were also not wearing seatbelts.

After spending hours trying to find the 1-year-old, the outcome was not what the family wanted.

“Obviously as time passes, the hopes that the child is going to be located is going to dwindle, sadly,” said a fire rescue representative.

Maxon and other strangers are now stepping up to send support to the family.

“Just to tell them hey be strong and the Holy Spirit can stay with them and comfort them,”  said Maxon.

The family is from Tampa and were headed east on Alligator Alley.