Judge sets bail at $260K for man in deadly Collier crash

Reporter: Andrew Scheinthal
Published: Updated:

NAPLES, Fla.- A man accused of causing an accident that killed a Collier County father of four is being held on $260,000 bond.

James Riner died in the multi-vehicle crash on Saturday night. Florida Highway Patrol officials say Rene Miles, 40, was driving along Golden Gate Boulevard when he hit the car in front of him, causing that vehicle to travel into oncoming traffic and straight into Riner’s car. Riner was pronounced dead at the hospital.

In court on Tuesday, Miles’ defense attorney Donald Day succeeded in eliminating some of the counts against his client. Miles is still facing DUI charges for causing the death of a person, causing serious injury, and property damage. If Miles is able to pay bond, he is required to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and will not be allowed to drive or consume alcohol.

Three days after the crash, the community has rallied to help the Riner family.

“I had no idea that Cecil Riner was such and important person in this community,” said Riner’s wife, Jessica Riner. “People came last night with food, I don’t even know them.”

James Riner was the manager of the East Naples Lowe’s store. Employees are now collecting money in the store to donate to Riner’s wife and children.

“He is God’s saint to us here. He literally, he blessed so many people.”

The support is not going unnoticed.

“I am just so grateful, I can never show my appreciation,” said Jessica Riner.

If you’d like to make a donation to help the Riner family, visit a Suncoast Credit Union bank to make a deposit into the account for Jessica Riner, or donate to the GoFundMe account set up.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.