3 seriously injured in overnight Cape Coral crash

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- Three people were transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a late night crash on NE Pine Island Road near Hancock Creek Boulevard.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on Sunday, two vehicles driven by Michael Getts, 35, and Francis Paulette III, 19, were heading east on Pine Island Road when Getts changed lanes abruptly and crashed into Paulette’s vehicle, according to the Cape Coral Police Department.

Getts’ vehicle drove into a ditch before crashing into a tree, police said.

As a result of the crash, Paulette’s car rolled over before landing in a ditch on its roof, officials said.

A witness was able to help remove Paulette and Getts’ passenger, identified as Lonnie Retherford, 36, from the vehicles but Getts remained trapped in his car until the Cape Coral Fire Department arrived on scene and extricated him.

Both vehicles caught fire in the crash, police said.

Cape Coral police say the crash is alcohol/drug related.

Eastbound lanes on NE Pine Island Road were reopened Monday morning after being shut down for several hours. The investigation is ongoing.