Nicole Kikkert
•8/15/2026
A mother is advocating for safety improvements on Top Golf Way in Lee County after a car struck a memorial honoring five teens who died in a crash at the site three years ago. Elizabeth Ferguson, whose daughter Amanda was one of the victims, often visits the scene where Amanda and four of her friends lost their lives in 2023. Two days ago, the families of the victims noticed the memorial had been damaged after a car hit it. "It's frustrating. It's frustrating because I don't know how many more crosses are going to have to be up here, and how many more flags and how many more families are going to have their hearts ripped out and be changed forever because of something so silly," Ferguson said. The crash occurred three years ago when a car drove off Top Golf Way and into a pond, killing all five teens inside. While Ferguson understands the road itself cannot be altered, she believes measures can be taken to make it safer. "I mean, this is a very sharp turn. I mean, I live in Lehigh, and we have roads there that have chevrons, and they have guardrails, and they're not even near bodies of water. That's all we're asking. I mean, is it a cost thing? Do we need a petition? Like, I don't know what we need to do. We need to do something because it's just not fair," Ferguson said. Ferguson also addressed the driver who fled the scene after hitting the memorial. "I really would like them to realize how lucky they are. This could have ended so differently for them; they are very lucky to realize how lucky they are," Ferguson said. The families have not filed a report with the Fort Myers Police Department about the recent incident but hope that sharing their story will lead to change. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
