Driver facing charges for fatal Christmas Eve crash in Fort Myers

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – A driver is facing charges after troopers said he struck and killed a pedestrian Saturday morning in a crash that shut down Orange River Boulevard at Palm Lane.

Philip Eugene Stewart, 44, of Lehigh Acres, is accused of driving without his headlights on, according to Lt. Greg Bueno of the Florida Highway Patrol, after he hit Jamie Danielle Patton, 34, of Fort Myers while driving westward on Orange River Boulevard just before 6:45 a.m. on Christmas Eve.

Patton landed in a ditch and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drivers are required by Florida law to drive with headlights at all times between sunset and sunrise.

No further information was immediately available.

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