Man killed, four others insured in Saturday accident

By TIFFANY REPECKI

trepecki@breezenewspapers.com

A weekend traffic crash in North Fort Myers left one person dead and sent four others to the hospital, including three Cape Coral teenage girls.

Epamin G. Vastardis, 85, of North Fort Myers, died Saturday night when he reportedly attempted to make a left turn at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Lake Fairways Boulevard and crossed into the pathway a vehicle passing by.

According to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol, Vastardis was traveling north on 41 in a Chevy Malibu. At 7:15 p.m., he tried to turn left onto Lake Fairways Boulevard and entered the path of a Jeep Liberty headed south.

The front of the Jeep, driven by Maureen Marie Mitchell, 41, of the Cape, collided into the right side of the Chevy. Both vehicles rotated as a result of the impact, and the Chevy veered off the road into a water drainage ditch.

Vastardis was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the report.

Mitchell, along with her three passengers – two 13-year-old girls and one 12-year-old girl – sustained serious injuries and were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital. The names of the teens are withheld by the FHP due to their age.

Mitchell was listed in fair condition Wednesday at the hospital.

As update on the conditions of the teens could not be confirmed.

According to the report, Vastardis and Mitchell had a solid green light.

The crash was not alcohol related, and no test results are pending.