Belle Glade community supports family after fatal canal crash kills father and two young sons
The Belle Glade community is coming together to help raise money for a family after a tragic crash this week.On Tuesday morning, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said 48-year-old Joel Rodriguez crashed his pickup truck off Gator Boulevard in Belle Glade.Police found the truck flipped over and submerged in a canal. Rodriguez and his two young sons were found dead inside.Since the tragedy, several businesses throughout Belle Glade have come together to help support the family.Vero’s Pupuseria launched a fundraiser on Friday for the family.“It is heartbreaking to lose two precious angels and an honest man,” said Filomeno Ortiz, a family friend. “I heard the news, and I had to stop my vehicle, and I started crying. I’m a grown man, but grown men cry.”Norman’s Drive Thru is helping to collect monetary donations to help fund funeral costs.“We’re always going to be here for her, no matter what,” said Erin Hodges, the general manager of Norman’s Drive Thru. “We are just a loving and small community here in the Glades, and that’s what we do.”Tuesday’s tragedy occurred only seven miles away from the site of another fatal crash.It’s been nearly two years since a driver lost control along Hatton Highway and crashed into a canal. Nine people died, including six children.Investigators are still working to learn what led up to Tuesday’s crash.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
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