Crash on I-75 in North Fort Myers kills one, leaves infant in critical condition

Reporter: Taylor Petras
Published: Updated:
Fatal crash on I-75 at mile marker 142 on Jan. 9, 2019 – Photo by WINK News.

One man is dead and an infant in critical condition after a three-vehicle crash in North Fort Myers Wednesday morning.

The crash on I-75 southbound happened on the bridge over the Caloosahatchee River, mile marker 142 just after 9 a.m.

Two outside lanes have been blocked for more than six hours as traffic backed up for miles near Bayshore Road.

Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash which involved two vehicles and a tractor trailer.

FHP says Johnny Coleman, 58, of Port Charlotte died in the crash after rear ending a semi-truck that was stalled and stopped on the bridge.

Miguel Imul, 24, of Port Charlotte was driving a Nissan Sentra with passengers Dilla Mateo, 16, and Heidi Mateo, 9 months. Miguel and Dilla suffered serious injuries and 9-month-old Heidi is in critical condition.

The report says Imul attempted to slow down to avoid a stopped tractor trailer when Coleman hit the rear of Imul forcing him into the bridge barrier and partially under the tractor trailer.

The van driven by Coleman caught fire after the impact.

The inside left lane remains open, however traffic is congested. It is anticipated that the outside and center southbound lanes will be closed for several more hours.

Law enforcement confirms that at least one person involved in the crash has died.

 

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