HIS TRUCK BUT DID NOT FIND ANY EXPLOSIVES. A LOCAL FATHER SENTENCED TO PRISON TIME FOR ALLOWING HIS 15 YEAR OLD SON TO DRIVE, CAUSING A FATAL CRASH, IS OUT ON BOND WHILE HIS SENTENCE IS BEING APPEALED. RICHARD FERGUSON WAS JUST SENTENCED TO 37 YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED ON MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES AFTER HIS UNLICENSED SON CAUSED A CRASH THAT KILLED THREE CHILDREN AND THEIR GRANDMOTHER. THIS HAPPENED IN OSCEOLA COUNTY. IT WAS BACK IN 2023, FERGUSON’S
Central Florida father jailed in teen son’s fatal crash out on bond as 37-year sentence is appealed
Updated: 12:38 PM EDT Jun 2, 2026
Richard Ferguson, sentenced to 37 years in prison for manslaughter after his unlicensed 15-year-old son caused a crash that killed three children and their grandmother, has been posted on bond, according to documents obtained by WESH 2. He is released on bond while his sentence is being appealed. During the trial, Ferguson’s attorneys said he is battling stage four cancer and asked for leniency. The defense argued prison would prevent Ferguson from receiving proper medical treatment.Prosecutors opposed a reduced sentence, arguing the severity of the loss warranted a lengthy prison term.Ferguson’s son, the then-15-year-old driver, ran a two-way stop at San Miguel Road and Laurel Avenue on Sept. 3, 2023. The teen, who did not have a permit, crashed into the family’s vehicle, killing all four people.His father, Ferguson, was arrested and charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter.The arrest affidavit said Ferguson allowed the teen and his friends to use the car without supervision.Ferguson’s son previously took a plea deal in the case. He is to be held until the age of 19 pending good behavior.
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. —
Richard Ferguson, sentenced to 37 years in prison for manslaughter after his unlicensed 15-year-old son caused a crash that killed three children and their grandmother, has been posted on bond, according to documents obtained by WESH 2.
He is released on bond while his sentence is being appealed.
During the trial, Ferguson’s attorneys said he is battling stage four cancer and asked for leniency. The defense argued prison would prevent Ferguson from receiving proper medical treatment.
Prosecutors opposed a reduced sentence, arguing the severity of the loss warranted a lengthy prison term.
Ferguson’s son, the then-15-year-old driver, ran a two-way stop at San Miguel Road and Laurel Avenue on Sept. 3, 2023. The teen, who did not have a permit, crashed into the family’s vehicle, killing all four people.
His father, Ferguson, was arrested and charged with four counts of vehicular manslaughter.
The arrest affidavit said Ferguson allowed the teen and his friends to use the car without supervision.
Ferguson’s son previously took a plea deal in the case. He is to be held until the age of 19 pending good behavior.