Mr. President, I’m honored to rise on the Senate floor today to recognize one of Florida’s best. Last month, um, Martin County man was going about his day when he saw *** terrible crash behind him in his rearview mirror. And what he did next was truly remarkable and heroic. The car behind him had crashed into *** canal and was sinking underwater. Casey Curtis, who I am told is watching this, didn’t hesitate. He jumped into the water, ready to help, and when he got out there, he found 3 young children stuck in the back screaming for help of that sinking vehicle, and their mother was unconscious behind the wheel. Casey acted quickly. He helped free the kids, he got them to dry land, and then he turned back and went to the driver. He, he stayed in the water holding the unconscious woman’s head above the water to keep her from drowning until the first responders got there. Because of his courageous efforts, this mother and her 3 children are still alive. The family is still together because he selflessly acted without hesitation and put others’ safety ahead of his own. I am so proud to honor him today with *** Florida’s finest award. This is not somebody who dedicated his professional career in law enforcement. He didn’t take an oath. He just decided that day he was going to be someone’s guardian, and he chose to do what few others would have chosen to do. This award honors Floridians and law enforcement officers who demonstrate selfless courage and go above and beyond to save lives. Casey did not have to do what he did that day. But what he did makes him remarkable, and we are so proud of his efforts. So thank you, Casey, for stepping in, risking your own safety to save *** family. You are truly one of Florida’s finest. I yield back, Mr. President.
Sen. Ashley Moody recognized Martin County man for his heroism in U.S. Senate
Updated: 10:30 PM EDT Mar 12, 2026
A Treasure Coast man who rescued a mother and three children when their vehicle crashed into a canal in Martin County last month was recognized in the United States Senate.On Thursday, Sen. Ashley Moody recognized Casey Curtis of Martin County with a “Florida’s Finest” award.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsA news release from Sen. Moody’s office notes the award honors citizens or law enforcement officers who demonstrate selfless courage and go above and beyond to save lives.On Feb. 8, while driving on Southwest Allapattah Road in Indiantown, Shyeniqua Wilkins suffered a seizure while driving an SUV, while her three children were in the back of the vehicle.The vehicle crashed into a canal. Curtis said he was driving in front of the SUV when he saw the SUV go off the road.Curtis told WPBF that he pulled over his vehicle, called 911 dispatch, then rushed to help the victims.”Once I got up to the fence area, I noticed that there was knocking, banging on the window, and kids screaming,” he told WPBF in an interview after the incident.Curtis assisted with removing the three children from the SUV, then went back to the SUV to aid Wilkins.Curtis told WPBF 25 News that he held Wilkins’ head above water until Martin County Fire Rescue and Martin County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived at the scene.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.The children and Wilkins were taken to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. The children were okay, while the mother spent days in the Intensive Care Unit and has since recovered.Sen. Moody, a Republican, made the following statements in the Senate on Thursday:“Last month, a Martin County man was going about his day when he saw a terrible crash behind him in his rear view mirror. And what he did next was truly remarkable and heroic. The car behind him had crashed into a canal and was sinking underwater. Casey Curtis, who I am told is watching this, didn’t hesitate. He jumped into the water, ready to help…“And when he got out there, he found three young children stuck in the back, screaming for help, in that sinking vehicle, and their mother was unconscious behind the wheel. Casey acted quickly, and helped free the kids. He got them to dry land, and then he turned back and went to the driver. He stayed in the water, holding the unconscious woman’s head above the water to keep her from drowning until the first responders got there…“Because of his courageous efforts, this mother and her three children are still alive. The family is still together because he selflessly acted without hesitation and put others’ safety ahead of his own. I am so proud to honor him today with a Florida’s Finest award.”
WASHINGTON —
A Treasure Coast man who rescued a mother and three children when their vehicle crashed into a canal in Martin County last month was recognized in the United States Senate.
On Thursday, Sen. Ashley Moody recognized Casey Curtis of Martin County with a “Florida’s Finest” award.
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
A news release from Sen. Moody’s office notes the award honors citizens or law enforcement officers who demonstrate selfless courage and go above and beyond to save lives.
On Feb. 8, while driving on Southwest Allapattah Road in Indiantown, Shyeniqua Wilkins suffered a seizure while driving an SUV, while her three children were in the back of the vehicle.
The vehicle crashed into a canal. Curtis said he was driving in front of the SUV when he saw the SUV go off the road.
Curtis told WPBF that he pulled over his vehicle, called 911 dispatch, then rushed to help the victims.
“Once I got up to the fence area, I noticed that there was knocking, banging on the window, and kids screaming,” he told WPBF in an interview after the incident.
Curtis assisted with removing the three children from the SUV, then went back to the SUV to aid Wilkins.
Curtis told WPBF 25 News that he held Wilkins’ head above water until Martin County Fire Rescue and Martin County Sheriff’s Office personnel arrived at the scene.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
The children and Wilkins were taken to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. The children were okay, while the mother spent days in the Intensive Care Unit and has since recovered.
Sen. Moody, a Republican, made the following statements in the Senate on Thursday:
“Last month, a Martin County man was going about his day when he saw a terrible crash behind him in his rear view mirror. And what he did next was truly remarkable and heroic.
The car behind him had crashed into a canal and was sinking underwater. Casey Curtis, who I am told is watching this, didn’t hesitate. He jumped into the water, ready to help…
“And when he got out there, he found three young children stuck in the back, screaming for help, in that sinking vehicle, and their mother was unconscious behind the wheel. Casey acted quickly, and helped free the kids.
He got them to dry land, and then he turned back and went to the driver. He stayed in the water, holding the unconscious woman’s head above the water to keep her from drowning until the first responders got there…
“Because of his courageous efforts, this mother and her three children are still alive. The family is still together because he selflessly acted without hesitation and put others’ safety ahead of his own.
I am so proud to honor him today with a Florida’s Finest award.”