Motorcyclist remains in hospital after late night crash on US 41

Author: Matt Dougherty
Published: Updated:

FORT MYERS, Fla.- WINK News has new information about a violent overnight crash.

Police say Leidier Franceda was traveling at a high rate of speed southbound on Cleveland Avenue just south of North Airport Road when he struck the rear of a Subaru station wagon also traveling southbound on Cleveland Avenue.

According to authorities, Franceda was thrown off his motorcycle and into the northbound lanes of Cleveland Avenue. Witnesses say a vehicle traveling northbound on Cleveland Avenue struck Franceda and continued without stopping.

Police have determined the vehicle that fled the scene is either a silver Chevy Cobalt or a silver Pontiac G5 model years 2005-2010. The suspect vehicle should be missing a passenger side view mirror.

That was just the start of a crazy night of crashes at US 41 and North Airport Drive, near Page Field. As they were working, one after another, two police cruisers were taken out.

Officers blocked off a stretch of US 41 using their patrol cars to halt traffic. As Thursday turned into Friday, two drivers didn’t stop.

Police say 53-year-old Edward Grant was drunk when he smashed his Chevy Camaro into one of their cars. He was arrested for DUI and damage to property among other crimes.

A Dodge pickup truck then crashed into another parked cruiser. Dale McKibbins, 55, was arrested for felony DUI.

Grant posted bond and was set free Friday. McKibbins is being held in jail without bond.

The investigation remains active at this time. Anyone with information is asked to call THI Officer Gustavo Goncalves of the Fort Myers Police Department at (239) 321-7700, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS or text message C-R-I-M-E-S (274637) Keyword FMPD. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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