Cape teen in critical condition, misses graduation after hit-and-run

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – An 18-year-old is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries as Cape Coral police look for the driver responsible for striking him on the 1700 block of Northwest 18 Terrace Sunday before 1 a.m.

Michael Park would have walked across the stage for his graduation from Cape Coral High School later that evening, had he not been hit. And the teenager was hit only two houses down from his home. The driver who hit Park left the area.

Park was left in the road for up to two hours, according to police, before a person discovered Park and called 9-1-1.

Barbara Reynolds said her friend was the stranger who stopped. That person almost mistook Park for curbside garbage.

“He thought it was just debris in the road and he got out and saw it was a person and called 9-1-1,” Reynolds said. “They (the hit-and-run driver) must have had a reason for not staying, but there’s no reason that’s good enough.”

Park was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Police are looking for a light-colored Kia Soul that was traveling on Northwest 18 Terrace in the area of the hit-and-run. The vehicle could have damage to the right front or side of the car, police said.

If you have any information on the identity of the suspect, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223. You can also submit an anonymous tip. Go to www.capecops.com/tips or text a tip- text CCPD+”Your Message” to CRIMES (274637). Finally, you can call Crimestoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.