Jacksonville Family Survives Horrific Crash, Good Samaritans Hailed as Heroes

Parents suffer severe injuries, young daughters sustain multiple fractures and internal injuries

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:52am

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A Jacksonville family of four, including parents Cody and Rosie Mineur and their daughters Bella and Lily, were involved in a serious car accident off I-95 that left the parents hospitalized and the children with multiple broken bones. The family was returning home from a birthday party when their vehicle left the highway and crashed deep into the woods. Good Samaritans who spotted the accident scene pulled the girls from the mangled car and stayed with them until emergency crews arrived to assist the parents.

Why it matters

The accident highlights the importance of good Samaritans and community support in times of crisis. The family's story also raises awareness about the dangers of rural roads and the need for improved safety measures to protect drivers, especially in remote areas. Additionally, the incident sheds light on the challenges families face when recovering from severe injuries and the financial burden of unexpected medical expenses.

The details

According to the family, neither Cody nor Rosie Mineur remember the details of the crash. The accident was so hidden from the road that good Samaritans first spotted Rosie Mineur lying on the shoulder, where she had crawled to flag down help. They then heard the girls crying, pulled them from the mangled car, and stayed 30 to 45 minutes, keeping them calm until emergency crews arrived for the parents. Bella, 5, and Lily, 2, both sustained multiple bone fractures and internal injuries, while Rosie Mineur had her right leg amputated below the knee, and Cody Mineur underwent wrist surgery and faces more operations to rebuild his shattered foot.

  • The accident occurred late Saturday night, just hours after the family left a 90th birthday party in St. Augustine.
  • Denise Rodriguez, the children's grandmother, received a call from her son Cody Mineur at 2 a.m. on Sunday, informing her of the incident.

The players

Cody Mineur

The 35-year-old father of the family, who works as a server at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville.

Rosie Mineur

The mother of the family, who had her right leg amputated below the knee after the accident and is learning to use a prosthetic.

Bella Mineur

The 5-year-old daughter of Cody and Rosie Mineur, who sustained multiple bone fractures and is wearing a body brace with both arms immobilized.

Lily Mineur

The 2-year-old daughter of Cody and Rosie Mineur, who has a broken leg and fractured collarbone.

Denise Rodriguez

The children's grandmother, who rushed from her home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, after receiving a call about the accident.

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What they’re saying

“He said, 'Mom, something really bad has happened,' and of course my heart dropped.”

— Denise Rodriguez, Grandmother

“You're angels on Earth. Angels on Earth.”

— Denise Rodriguez, Grandmother

“She's my hero... a mama bear determined to recover and get back to taking care of her babies.”

— Denise Rodriguez, Grandmother

What’s next

The family faces an uncertain return to their jobs, as Rosie Mineur learns to use a prosthetic and Cody Mineur undergoes physical therapy to relearn how to walk. The girls may be discharged from the hospital before their parents.

The takeaway

This tragic accident underscores the importance of community support and the heroic actions of good Samaritans in times of crisis. It also highlights the financial and emotional challenges families face when recovering from severe injuries, and the need for improved safety measures on rural roads to protect drivers and their loved ones.