JUPITER FARMS, Fla. — A tragic accident Saturday evening claimed the lives of a 16-year-old girl and her grandmother.
The crash occurred at approximately 5 p.m. at the intersection of Alexander Run and Randolph Siding Road, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Deidre North, 77, was driving with her granddaughter, Jade North, when she failed to stop at a stop sign and collided with another vehicle, causing their car to veer off the road and strike a tree. Deidre was pronounced dead at the scene; Jade was transported to a local hospital but later succumbed to her injuries.
Jade's mother, Juanita North, received a notification about the accident while her husband rushed to the hospital, but he arrived too late to see her. “I got an SOS note… Jade was in a car accident,” Juanita said. The family is now grappling with the loss of two generations.
Jade had just started her junior year at Jupiter High School, known for her artistic talent. The school is providing counseling services for students affected by the tragedy.
The intersection where the crash occurred has raised safety concerns. “It needs to be a four-way stop. A four-way stop would be the best thing,” Juanita stated.
Authorities confirmed that the driver of the other vehicle is expected to recover. Juanita is seeking community support through a GoFundMe campaign to assist with funeral expenses for her daughter and mother-in-law.