ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — A devastating boating accident on Sunday night has claimed the lives of two St. Johns County residents, identified as Justin Hall and Edis Miller. Authorities confirmed the couple was involved in a fatal crash while out on the water, leaving behind a wave of grief across the community and raising new questions about boating safety in Northeast Florida.
The Incident
Emergency responders were dispatched late Sunday evening after multiple 911 calls reported a serious boating crash on local waterways. When rescue crews arrived, they discovered the vessel severely damaged and both Hall and Miller critically injured. Despite rapid intervention by paramedics and fire rescue, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
Officials have not yet disclosed the exact cause of the accident, though investigators are examining weather conditions, water traffic, and potential equipment failure as possible factors. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local law enforcement continue to lead the investigation, with a full report expected in the coming weeks.
Lives of Service and Love
The loss of Hall and Miller has left a deep wound in St. Johns County, where the couple was known not only for their relationship but also for their impact on others.
Miller’s career in healthcare earned her admiration and respect throughout the region. As a former Cardiac Cath Lab CVT and RCIS at UF Health St. Johns, she worked tirelessly to provide care and comfort to patients in critical situations. Beyond her medical role, Miller gave back to her community in profound ways, serving as a licensed foster parent in St. Johns County, offering stability and love to children in need.
Justin Hall is being remembered as a kind, supportive partner and a man with a generous heart. Together, the couple shared a bond that friends describe as loving, strong, and inspiring. Their sudden passing has been described as “a double heartbreak for all who knew them.”
A Daughter’s Unimaginable Loss
Perhaps most heartbreaking is the impact on Miller’s daughter, Arianna, who now faces life without either of her parents. Arianna’s father died two years ago, and her mother’s death on Sunday leaves her without immediate family support.
In a public statement filled with grief, Arianna wrote:
“My mother has just passed away from a boating accident. That has left a huge hole in my heart as well as leaving me alone. My father passed away 2 years ago as well. I am a college student and in need of help in any way.”
To help ease her burden, friends and community members have rallied together, creating a GoFundMe campaign to support Arianna during this devastating chapter.
🔗 GoFundMe: Arianna Needs Your Help After Tragedy
Community Reaction
The news of the couple’s passing has sent shockwaves through the region. Tributes have poured in across social media, with friends, coworkers, and neighbors remembering Hall and Miller as a pair who radiated love and kindness.
One former colleague of Miller’s at UF Health shared:
“Edis was the kind of person who carried hope into every room. She cared deeply for her patients and her coworkers. This is such a painful loss.”
Others remembered Hall as a steady, good-hearted man who brought joy to those around him. Together, the two were described as “a beautiful couple who had so much life left to live.”
Investigation Ongoing
Marine officials continue to work to determine the circumstances surrounding Sunday’s deadly crash. While weather conditions were reportedly challenging in some parts of Northeast Florida that evening, it is not yet known if that played a role. Authorities say toxicology tests and vessel inspections are part of standard procedure in cases like this, but results may take weeks.
Gone Too Soon
For those left behind, the loss of Justin Hall and Edis Miller feels impossible to measure. Their memory will live on in the lives they touched — from the patients Miller cared for, to the children she fostered, to the countless friends who cherished the couple’s presence.
As the St. Johns County community comes together to grieve, all eyes turn to supporting Arianna, who now must navigate life after the sudden and devastating loss of both parents.