LAKE WORTH BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A 77-year-old Lake Worth man has died weeks after crashing his Jeep into a palm tree in a Congress Avenue parking lot, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Richard L. Preston was driving south through the parking lot on the west side of 6080 South Congress Avenue on June 10 when he hit the gas instead of the brake.
That mistake sent his 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee jumping the south curb of the parking lot and slamming into a palm tree, deputies said. The impact caused heavy damage to the front of Preston’s SUV, while the tree suffered only minor damage. Preston, who was wearing his seatbelt, suffered serious head and leg injuries in the crash.
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue responded to the scene. Preston never recovered from his injuries. He died June 28, just over two weeks after the crash, and PBSO’s Vehicle Homicide Investigations Unit was notified of the delayed fatality on June 30.
No charges have been filed in connection with the crash, and investigators have not indicated that any are pending.
