Two Best Friends, Both 14, Die After Spending Time at a Citrus County Park

"They were boys that were playing and having fun. There was no crazy circumstance that led to this," said Zachariah Roberson, a devastated family friend and neighbor, describing a tragedy so sudden, so senseless, it defies belief.

Two Florida families are now in mourning after their sons, George Watts and Derrick "DJ" Hubbard, were killed in an accident outdoors.

On January 11, 2026, the inseparable 14-year-old best friends set out to play near a sand pit in Citrus County. They never came home and what followed has left their loved ones, and the entire local community, broken. Yet even in the midst of this grief, a heroic, selfless act shines through.

An Ordinary Afternoon Turns Into a Mother's Worst Nightmare

Most parents today would be thrilled to see their kids stepping away from screens, heading outside, and enjoying the kind of play that used to define childhood.

But even the most innocent fun can take a deadly turn when precautions are missed, and this was one situation that never should have happened.

The two teenagers had gone out on a Sunday, telling Derrick's mom, Destiny Rogers, that they were heading to the sand pit in Sportsman Park in Inverness to dig around and explore, something they'd done before.

But when lunchtime rolled around and the boys still hadn't returned, Destiny called her son's phone. He didn't answer. Then she tried George. Still nothing. Her worry escalated, and she asked her fiancé to check the park.

He arrived to a chilling sight. The boys' bikes were there. So were their shoes. But not a single sign of George or Derrick.

That's when Destiny snapped into full mama bear mode. She raced to the park herself, already fearing what she might find. Her eyes landed on the sand pit, and without hesitation, she began digging.

According to police records, that's when a "frantic" call came through to emergency services, setting off a desperate race to uncover the truth.

A Desperate Search Ends

First responders rushed to the scene, digging feverishly, while others scoured the surrounding area, hoping against hope that the boys had simply wandered off. But within just 20 minutes, their worst fears began to take shape.

George was the first to be found. Buried beneath the sand, he was reportedly "alive and had a pulse, however was not conscious or breathing on his own." Paramedics immediately performed life-saving measures before transporting him to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the search for Derrick continued with rising urgency. Moments later, he too was pulled from the pit, but the outcome was even more devastating.

Unlike his best friend, Derrick had no pulse and showed no signs of life. He was rushed to a nearby medical center, but it was already too late. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

And while many held onto hope that George might survive, that hope was crushed on January 13, when it was confirmed that he had passed away in the hospital.

Authorities later revealed that the boys had dug a hole approximately four to five feet deep into the sand pit. It collapsed on top of them, trapping them underneath.

The incident has shaken the town to its core. Inverness Middle School, where both boys were students, called this a "tragedy" that has rocked the community. The Citrus County Sheriff's Office also issued a heartfelt statement, extending condolences to both families and urging the public to respect their privacy as they mourn.

And mourn they will, because these weren't just boys who died too soon. They were friends, sons, students. And in the case of one, a quiet hero rose.

A Final Gift That Will Live On

This is the nightmare no parent ever wants to face. But even as they stood in the wreckage of their unimaginable loss, George's family made a decision so courageous, so selfless, it turned their pain into a gift that could save countless others.

His mother, Jasmine Watts, and the rest of the Watts family chose to donate his organs, offering hope to other families still clinging to theirs.

In the middle of her heartbreak, Jasmine announced that an honor walk would be held for her son on January 14. And when that day came, the support was overwhelming.

Outside the hospital, the community gathered in force. Inside, medical staff lined the hallways, paying tribute as George was wheeled through.

The following day, Jasmine returned to social media to express her gratitude. "Your presence, love, and support meant more than words can ever express," she wrote. "Standing with our family during such an incredibly difficult moment showed us how much compassion and kindness exists in this world."

She also thanked the first responders and medical team who fought to save her son, as well as the flood of people who had shown up for them in the days since. For the Watts family, who always filled their home with joy and children's laughter, that kindness would never be forgotten.

Inseparable in Life, Remembered in Love

For those looking to support the grieving family, Jasmine has created a GoFundMe, and the description alone is enough to move anyone.

She describes their home as one filled with joyful chaos, always bursting with the sound of children, always alive with energy. It was a place where kids were not just welcomed, but part of the family. Among them, George and Derrick shared a bond that ran deeper than childhood friendship.

"They were inseparable, full of life, curiosity, and dreams for the future," the campaign reads.

The fundraiser was launched to help ease the financial pressure of sudden loss. As of publication, over $39,000 has been raised toward its $40,000 goal, a staggering testament to just how far the community is willing to go to lift them up.

And the support hasn't stopped there.

On Saturday, January 17, Citrus Tattoos will host a fundraiser for both families from noon to 8 p.m., offering designs inspired by the boys' favorite cartoons, sports, and the hashtag #Forever14.

Additionally, another close neighbor is organizing a food event to bring people together and continue honoring the memory of two best friends who were ready to take on the world.

From Grief to Action: A Friend Refuses to Stay Silent

Zachariah Roberson knew both boys well. As a close friend, he remembers Derrick and George not just as good kids, but as remarkable ones; bright, full of energy, and always on the move. They were the kind of teens who lit up a room and left a mark wherever they went.

They both loved football, and Derrick had just made the school's basketball team. It was supposed to be the start of something exciting.

"It's crazy how it happened, because they were inseparable. So, even in the end, you know, how things are playing out," he said. "Their impact together in life and then now passing is definitely something I'll remember."

Roberson also praised the decision made by George's family, calling their organ donation "a blessing in all this tragedy" and reflecting on how many lives could be changed by one final, generous act.

But he didn't stop at words. In just a few weeks, his food truck, Doggylicious Florida, along with other local food vendors, will host a barbecue fundraiser to raise money for the families. They plan to sell shirts with George and Derrick's faces printed on them, with all proceeds going to both households.

It's one small way Roberson is giving back. But for him, it's not just about money. It's about making sure people never forget. And more importantly, it's about making sure this doesn't happen again.

A Deadly Danger Hiding in Plain Sight

For anyone wondering how something so tragic could happen during something as innocent as playtime, the answer is disturbingly simple. The boys had been digging in sugar sand, a fine, dry type of sand that looks harmless but can become deadly in seconds.

Unlike wet beach sand, sugar sand moves easily. A lifeguard from Clearwater Fire Rescue explained to 10 Tampa Bay News, "Dry sand is not stable and it can collapse. And if you were to dig above your head, the sand can collapse in on you. Sand is very heavy, and it can cause issues as far as respiratory impairment."

Roberson hopes this loss will push parents to talk to their children not just about the usual risks like drowning, fires, or car accidents, but about hidden dangers like this one. He admitted he never once thought about the risk of sand before George and Derrick's deaths.

"If there's something that I could say is to make sure that you have this conversation with your kids and, hopefully, some of the schools can come together and maybe implement this," he urged.

Because awareness, now more than ever, can save lives.