Double Tragedy Strikes Dispatcher’s Family

The family of a Suwannee County (Fla.) dispatcher is reeling from a double tragedy: Nikki Ford, 25, died in a vehicle accident on July 11th, and 11 days later her two month-old son died from an unknown medical problem, just three days after Ford’s funeral. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Ford was alone in her car at 6 a.m. when her car went across the highway and struck a tree. She was not wearing a seatbelt, FHP troopers said, and was declared dead at the scene. Sheriff Tony Cameron said Ford had worked at the comm center for about 2-1/2 years, and had been enroute home after a 12-hour shift when the accident occurred. Besides her infant son, Ford also had an 18 month-old son and 6 year-old daughter.