Charlotte Martin, Jaylyn Fehr, and Jackson Mobley Killed in Franklin County Car Accident

Q: What do investigators look for in a fatal car accident?

Investigators carefully examine various factors to determine the cause of a fatal car accident. They collect evidence from the scene, including skid marks, vehicle damage, and roadway conditions, to reconstruct the crash. Witness statements and event data recorders, or "black boxes," from the vehicles can also provide important information about speed, braking, and steering maneuvers. "Nobody thinks about their car's black box until it's the only way to prove what really happened in a crash. These devices don't just record speed; they show if you were wearing a seatbelt and when you hit the brakes," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.

Q: How common are fatal car accidents among teenagers in Florida?

Fatal car accidents, particularly those involving teenagers, remain a significant concern in Florida. According to NHTSA data, preliminary estimates show that 8,055 people died in traffic crashes nationwide in the first quarter of 2025, a decrease of 6.3% from the same period in 2024. However, teenagers often face unique risks due to inexperience and specific driving behaviors.

Charlotte Martin car accident on Highway 65, Eastpoint, Florida

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Charlotte Martin, 16, of Forsyth County, Georgia, was killed in a fatal crash on Monday, April 8, 2026, in Franklin County, Florida. Two other Georgia teens, 17-year-old Jaylyn Fehr and 18-year-old Jackson Mobley, also died in the crash. The three were traveling from Georgia to St. George Island for spring break and were students at Horizon Christian Academy. Emergency personnel and off-duty law enforcement officers along with good Samaritans assisted at the scene. Jamison Mobley, 17, Jackson's sister, was life-flighted to a Tallahassee hospital and remains in recovery. A GoFundMe has been organized by Fehr's family to help with funeral expenses. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office expressed gratitude for those who assisted at the scene.

What do investigators look for in a fatal car accident?

"Nobody thinks about their car's black box until it's the only way to prove what really happened in a crash. These devices don't just record speed; they show if you were wearing a seatbelt and when you hit the brakes," said Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal.

How common are fatal car accidents among teenagers in Florida?

Florida wrongful death statute

Under Fla. Stat. § 768.16-768.26, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Florida applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.

Recoverable damages may include loss of support and services, loss of companionship, mental pain and suffering of survivors, and medical/funeral expenses.

National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica of Bond Legal noted that "When any road accident turns fatal, the state's 'wrongful death' laws provide the framework for how the case is handled.