Cape man charged in fatal hit-and-run
A Cape Coral man has been charged with leaving the scene of a traffic crash causing death in connection with a hit and run Sunday night that left a bicyclist dead along northeast Pine Island Road.
Timothy Wayne Turner, 48, was arrested Monday in connection with the death of Joel Scott Nichols, 27, after Cape Coral police “received a tip with information regarding the identification and location of the Suspect and Suspect vehicle,” the department said in a prepared statement.
Police believe Nichols was struck from behind as he was riding east along the roadway’s shoulder Sunday at about 8 p.m. but his body was not discovered until after 7 a.m. the next day, “likely due to poor lighting in the area and the location where the deceased came to rest,” officials said.
Based on a witness account, police were able to release the color, make and estimated age of the vehicle believed to have struck Nichols: a mid-to-late 1990s, white, Dodge pickup truck.
After evaluating the tip, Green and another officer then went to 2203 N.E. 15 Terrace at about 6:30 p.m. and found a 1996 white Dodge Ram truck that had “suffered heavy front right and passenger side damage” on the east side of the residence in a vacant lot.
“Tire marks from striking the bicycle tire were plainly visible in the lower bumper area. All damage was consistent with the traffic crash,” police said.
Turner voluntarily came out of the house and reportedly told the officers that he was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the crash and that wanted to turn himself in.
Turner then voluntarily went to the Cape Coral Police Department where officials say he cooperated with investigators.
He was taken to the Lee County Jail where he remained in custody Tuesday morning. Bond has been set at $50,000, according to the jail web site.
“While there is no happy ending to this story, we are heartened that we were able to make an arrest in this case to find justice for the victim and begin the process of closure for the victim’s loved ones,” Det. Sgt. Dana Coston, Cape Coral Police Department spokesperson, said in the statement.
Source: Cape Coral Police Department