Tragedy struck a Jacksonville family. Shantel Patrice Ennis, a 29 year old mother of seven died in a crash near the Acosta Bridge on Riverside Avenue. Her fiancé, Michael Fulmore, and the couple’s 1-year-old child were critically injured but survived, leaving the community reeling, mourning and pulling together to support the family.
The crash happened shortly before noon, when the truck, driven by Fulmore, struck a crash barrier, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Ennis died at the scene and Fulmore and their baby were transported to a hospital. Fulmore shared his anguish:
“I’m tapping her, trying to wake her up,”
he told.
“I dread the fact that the kids are not going to have their mom, and I lost my fiancé. I’ve shed all my tears that I could ever shed”
As of May 30, 2025, the crash is still under investigation and no official report has been issued.
Shantel Ennis was a vibrant presence in Jacksonville, known for her talent as a makeup and lash artist and her devotion to her family. Raised by her stepfather, Pastor Jerome Sales, after her biological father’s passing, she was a beacon of love and resilience.
“She was so beautiful, I called her China doll,”
Sales said.
“I don’t think I could have had a biological daughter that would have done more and been there for me more than she was”
Ennis, a prospective bride, was characterized in a GoFundMe appeal as a “beautiful soul” who enjoyed laughing, playing pranks, and eating with those she cared about. Her entrepreneurial heart and generosity of spirit impacted the lives of many in her area.
The neighborhood has come together in the aftermath of this tragedy. There has been a GoFundMe in place, raising a substantial amount of money for funeral costs and for Ennis’s seven children. Social media users on X have shared posts of condolence, with one such user @brunelldonald publicly asking for prayers for the family. The appeal underlines Ennis’s energetic personality and the “unimaginable” grief experienced by the loved ones.
Pastor Sales, in a sermon about finding the strength in adversity given hours prior to the crash, discussed the family’s dependence on faith. He stressed the importance of keeping Ennis’s children together to honor her legacy.
“We’re focused on preserving the family she built,”
he said, reflecting the family’s determination to move forward despite their grief.
A post from X.
The accident reflects the continued traffic safety issues in Jacksonville. Duval County experienced more than 24,000 accidents in the past year, with speeding and driver distraction as the causes, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Jacksonville reported 154 deaths and more than 12,000 accidents that caused injury in 2023. The highest number of accidents takes place in Jacksonville followed by Miami and Tampa.
The cause remained under investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol as of May 30, 2025. Officials were investigating driver behavior and road conditions, as well as other details they did not share.
