×
×
homepage logo
STORE

Boulevard crash yields no major injuries

By Staff | Jan 19, 2015

LEXI GORE Remarkably, the crash vehicle did not injure pedestrians in the Beach downtown walking district nor did it damage the Yo! Taco building as it came to rest underneath the business awning.

Last week’s traffic crash in the downtown zoning district of Fort Myers Beach was caught on a surveillance video, halted traffic for nearly two hours but did not yield any major injuries or fatalities.

On Jan. 14, at 11:52 a.m., Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1400 block of Estero Boulevard involving a red Hyundai Santa Fe in a traffic crash.

Preliminary investigation reveals that the vehicle was traveling south on the boulevard at approximately 60 mph. According to the sheriff’s Facebook page, the Hyundai struck a box truck in front of the Lani Kai Resort, overturning to a final position in front of Yo! Taco stand. On the way, the vehicle struck a pedestrian sign, a concrete pole and several tables before coming to a final rest.

Luckily, no pedestrians in the walking district were injured.

The report stated that a total of four vehicles were involved with five people transported to local hospitals. All injuries were non-life threatening. Everyone was treated and released by Friday.

No charges were reported. Sheriff’s Office officials called the crash a medical event and stated that was the reason why the driver was speeding. According to the police report, more than $60,000 in non-vehicle property damage was reported

The report states that Carol Deller, age 67, of Constatine, Michigan was driving the Hyundai that was owned by Ean Holdings Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Deller fainted and lost control of the vehicle. The Hyundai passenger David Knishly, age 80, took control of the steering wheel but could not get Deller’s foot off the accelerator.

The report further states the Hyundai struck a vehicle -which collided with a parked vehicle- then struck another vehicle before overturning, sliding on its roof and colliding with the pedestrian sign and concrete pole. That is when the Hyundai rolled onto the driver’s side and impacted the unoccupied tables and chairs.

Soon after the incident, a Lee County Sheriff’s Office V.O.I.C.E member was stationed at the foot of Matanzas Bridge to stop traffic from going over the bridge onto the Beach. On the Beach, traffic heading north on the boulevard was halted as well.