Father of four dies trapped in truck in Florida flash flood, wife recounts final FaceTime call
Joshua Bennett, 34, of Palm Bay, Florida, has died after his truck became trapped in flash floodwaters. He was a father of four.
Heavy rainfall triggered flooding on Monday in Brevard County, along Florida's east-central coast. Bennett had reportedly left home to buy coffee when he encountered the rising floodwaters.
His wife, Stacy Petit Bennett, said her husband called her on FaceTime in a panic as floodwaters surrounded his truck on San Filippo Drive. She said he was crying and said, 'I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do.'
Bennett told his wife he was in the middle of a river and his car was submerged with water all around. Stacy urged him to break a window before the call abruptly disconnected. She said she called 911 and spent hours trying to get help for her husband.
His widow described Bennett as an 'amazing husband and dad.' She said, 'Every life is important, and everyone deserves a chance to be rescued. To be saved. He was just 34 years old. His kids are young.'
Bennett was a father of four, including three children with special needs. His children include twin daughters who were born prematurely. His wife said their children have been asking when their father would be coming home.
Stacy said, 'He's not here. I don't have my support system. They don't have their father.'
Bennett was one of two people who died during the flooding in Brevard County. The other victim, Archie Richards, 78, was found dead inside his vehicle near Richards Lane and Hall Road, according to the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.
