Man flees police, try to jump Cape canal with truck
A northwest Cape Coral neighborhood saw heavy police activity Thursday night after a North Fort Myers man tried to jump a canal in his truck before trying to then flee the scene.
According to a report issued by the Cape Coral Police Department this afternoon, Thursday night, April 26, a CCPD patrol officer stopped a vehicle for a speeding violation. After the officer exited his vehicle and began approaching the vehicle, it drove away from the traffic stop. The driver was later identified as Jesse Hurley, 30, of 8210 Sevigny Drive, North Fort Myers.
The officer advised dispatch of the fleeing vehicle and disengaged.
The report indicated that Hurley was later observed by another CCPD officer driving at a high rate of speed and failing to stop at a stop sign. Hurley then reportedly drove his vehicle at a high rate of speed through a vacant lot and almost jumped the Frontier Canal near the 1900 block of Nelson Road, North.
When his truck hit the canal bank on the north side of the canal, police said Hurley exited his vehicle and tried to swim away and run from the scene. Witnesses on scene identified the direction that Hurley fled, assisting the officers with locating him.
Police reported they believe that there was another person inside of the vehicle, but after an extensive search of the area by CCPD officers, CCPD K-9s, CCFD and Aviation, the second occupant of the vehicle was not located. During an inventory of the vehicle, a small bag of marijuana (7.2 grams) was located on the floor board next to the driver’s seat.
Hurley was transported to a local hospital to receive treatment for serious but non-life threatening injuries. Due to these injuries and his need for medical care, Hurley was issued criminal traffic citations and a Notice to Appear.