Driver in fatal accident identified
Police have identified a Cape Coral man who died Friday morning after he apparently ran a red light at Veterans Parkway and struck several vehicles.
Ryan L. Thompson, of 1302 S.W. 25th St., was traveling west on Veterans in a Jeep when he failed to observe a red light at Country Club Boulevard and entered the intersection at about 8:11 a.m., according to officials. The Jeep clipped a truck headed south on Country Club.
The driver of the truck apparently had a green light at the intersection, and prior to the collision, the Jeep was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed.
After striking the truck, the front driver’s side tire of the Jeep reportedly punctured and the vehicle was forced southwest across the median. The Jeep traveled into the eastbound lanes of Veterans, and the front bumper collided with the driver’s side door of a Lincoln car. Parts flew off both vehicles and hit three other vehicles.
The Jeep then sideswiped a Toyota, and the Toyota struck a Ford SUV. The Jeep continued on, striking two more SUVs, an Infiniti and Subaru. The Jeep came to rest partly rolled over in the grass median on its driver’s side.
Medics were unable to resuscitate Thompson and he was pronounced dead.
Two drivers involved in the multiple collisions complained of neck and back pain. Both were taken to a hospital, treated and released.
All of the others involved had minor pain and discomfort, but all refused medical treatment.