Man faces DUI charges in fatal crash that injured two islanders
A driver accused of crashing into a Matlacha restaurant, killing an 80-year-old woman and injuring four other patrons — including two Sanibel residents — is now facing multiple DUI-related charges.
Cody James Curtis, 24, of 1043 Andalusia Blvd., Cape Coral, was arrested on April 22 and charged with one count of DUI manslaughter, three counts of DUI with serious bodily injury, one count of DUI property damage and one count of DUI injury, according to a Florida Highway Patrol press release.
The FHP reported that Curtis’ blood alcohol concentration was 0.137%.
The level at which a driver is considered impaired is 0.08%.
According to an earlier FHP release, Curtis was driving a 1992 Nissan sedan east on Pine Island Road, south of Island Avenue, on April 13 when the vehicle drove off the roadway and entered the north gravel shoulder at about 5:50 p.m. It then collided with a no-parking sign and wooden decorative post and traveled into the outside seating area of That BBQ Place, at 4590 Pine Island Road N.W.
The vehicle struck the building, as well as a motorcycle parked at the restaurant, mailboxes and garbage cans, re-entered the roadway and struck a pickup truck, according to the FHP.
The 80-year-old woman was sitting with friends at the outside tables.
Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District officials reported that one victim was found to be deceased, three victims were trauma alerted to the hospital by ambulance and another was taken by helicopter.
The FHP release states that a 58-year-old man and 55-year-old woman, both of Sanibel, were among those transported. They sustained minor injuries. The others included a 77-year-old Matlacha man with serious injuries and a 67-year-old Matlacha man with minor injuries. The woman who died was from Matlacha. Curtis was not injured in the crash.
The conditions of the island residents were unknown on April 25.
Curtis was transported to the Lee County Jail.
As of April 25, he remained in custody on $252,000 bond.
Curtis has a court hearing set for May 28.
“Florida Highway Patrol State Troopers continue to conduct an exhaustive investigation,” FHP officials said, adding that the crash remains under active investigation.
To reach CJ HADDAD / cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com, please email