Cape Coral Police Investigating Serious Injury Crash

(August 4, 2017)-  Cape Coral Police are investigating an injury crash that sent two people to the hospital.

Just after 9:00 AM, Cape Coral Police responded to a 2-vehicle crash at the intersection of Santa Barbara Boulevard North and Tropicana Parkway. 

Both drivers were hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries.  The Major Crash Investigator, Victim Advocate, and Forensics responded to assist with this investigation.  A Ping4 alert was sent, warning drivers and residents of the traffic hazard.

The preliminary synopsis of the Major Crash Investigator is below:

DATE:  August 4, 2017 TIME:  9:09 AM LOCATION: Intersection of Santa Barbara Blvd N and Tropicana Pkwy CR#:  17-014053 ASSIGNED MCI: Officer D. Gray

VEHICLE 1:  Beige 2015 Kia Forte 4 door car. DRIVER 1:  Thomas Wayne Hunt, W/M, 64, ofCape Coral, Florida. DRIVER 1 INJURIES:  Hunt suffered life threatening injuries in the traffic crash.

VEHICLE 2: Blue Ford F-150 pickup truck. DRIVER 2: Paul Douglas Ray, W/M, 73, of Cape Coral, Florida. DRIVER 2 INJURIES: Ray suffered non-life threatening injuries in the traffic crash.

SYNOPSIS: Vehicle 1 was traveling north in the inside lane of Santa Barbara Blvd N approaching the intersection with Tropicana Pkwy. Vehicle 2 was traveling west in the outside lane of Tropicana Pkwy E approaching the intersection with Santa Barbara Blvd N. Vehicle 2 stopped for the stop sign at the intersection, and then proceeded west through the intersection. Vehicle 1 failed to stop at the stop sign on Santa Barbara Blvd N and slid through the intersection. The front of Vehicle 1 collided with the left side of Vehicle 2. The impact forced Vehicle 2 to rotate counter-clockwise and it came to final rest in the south lanes of Santa Barbara Blvd N, facing to the southeast. After impact, Vehicle 1 also rotated counter-clockwise and it came to final rest on the north side of the intersection facing to the southwest.

The driver of Vehicle 1 suffered life threatening injuries in the crash and was trauma alerted to a local hospital where he is currently listed as critical but stable. The driver of Vehicle 2 suffered non-life threatening injuries and was taken to a local hospital.

Due to the nature of the injuries to the driver of Vehicle 1, MCI Officer D. Gray responded.  Victim Advocate and Forensics also responded.  It is unknown if alcohol/drugs are a factor in the traffic crash.  Speed is a factor in this crash. Next-of-kin HAVE BEEN notified.

The intersection was shut down for approximately 3 hours during the investigation.

There are 11 traffic fatalities and 28 MCI usages in our city in 2017. (There are 0 fatalities that are ruled "medical" and the cause of death is not related to injuries in the traffic crash. These 0 "medical" fatalities are not included in the number of traffic fatalities).

Breakdown of the past several years, FYI:

2017= 11 Traffic fatalities, 6 DUI related (28 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 medical ruled death)

2016= 11 Traffic fatalities, 4 DUI related (35 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 medical ruled death) 2015= 13 Traffic fatalities, 9 DUI related (43 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 1 medical ruled death) 2014= 10 Traffic fatalities, 5 DUI related (40 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical ruled death) 2013= 19 Traffic fatalities, 6 DUI related (43 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled deaths) 2012= 10 Traffic fatalities, 6 DUI related (21 MCI usages) 2011= 11 Traffic fatalities, 4 DUI related (24 MCI usages) (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical and 1 suicide ruled deaths)