Man dies in multi-car crash on Veteran’s Parkway
A 34-year-old Cape Coral man died Friday morning after he apparently ran a red light at Veterans Parkway and struck several vehicles with his Jeep.
His name is being withheld by The Breeze as next-of-kin had not been notified by press time.
The man was traveling westbound on Veterans in a Jeep SUV when he failed to observe a red light at Country Club Boulevard and entered the intersection at about 8:11 a.m., according to police. The Jeep clipped a 2001, grey Chevrolet truck that was traveling southbound on County Club.
Before the collision, the Jeep had been traveling at a high rate of speed, police reported. The driver of the truck, David W. Southwick, 54, of 5148 Sunnybrook Court, had a green light at the intersection at Country Club.
As the Jeep’s left front side clipped the truck, the front driver’s side tire was punctured, forcing the Jeep southwest across the grassy median. The Jeep traveled into the eastbound lanes of Veterans, and the front bumper collided with the driver’s side door of a 2007 black Lincoln car.
Sandra M. Dupuie, 23, of 2505 N.W. 24th St., was driving the Lincoln.
The collision between the Jeep and Lincoln sent parts from both flying into the air and into three oncoming vehicles, a 2004 Dodge SUV, 2002 Honda and 2000 Ford Mustang. All three vehicles sustained minor damage but were able to be driven away from the scene, according to police.
After striking the Lincoln, the Jeep sideswiped the driver’s side of a 2004 silver Toyota, driven by Maria L. Valle, 50, of 2023 N.W. Sixth St. The Toyota then struck a 2005 gold Ford SUV, driven by Donald Barlow Sr., 66, of 27861 Hacienda Blvd., Apt. 219, Bonita Springs.
The Jeep continued to travel and its front bumper struck the front of a 2010 beige Infiniti SUV. The Infiniti was driven by Carlos L. De Los Santos Jr., 42, of 702 S.W. 10th Place. The impact redirected the Jeep and it hit a 2004 Subaru SUV, driven by Curtis W. Sanderson, 71, of 4932 S.W. 21st Place.
After colliding into the Subaru, the Jeep came to rest partially rolled over in the median on its driver’s side. Medics were unable to resuscitate the driver of the Jeep and he was pronounced dead at the scene, police reported.
Valle and De Los Santos reported neck and back pain.
Valle was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital, and De Los Santos was taken to Cape Coral Hospital, according to police. Both were treated and later released.
All others involved in the crash reported minor pain and discomfort, but they all declined to be taken to the hospital for further medical treatment.
The eastbound lanes of Veterans remained closed until about 1:30 p.m.