Police say suspect admits to hit-and-run, woman killed crossing street

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Fort Myers Police Department is investigating a crash that killed a woman crossing a major intersection in Fort Myers on Wednesday. Police say a female suspect later admitted to hitting the woman after she dialed 911 and is now under investigation.

Ileana Rivera Ortiz, 50, was crossing Colonial Blvd. near State Road 82 around 6 p.m. when a vehicle hit her.

Burger King employees said when a driver hit and left their coworker for dead, they stole the heart of their team. Ortiz spread positivity each workday. Karelyn Alvarez said she frequently told her coworkers they are beautiful or that they are doing a good job.

Ileana Rivera Ortiz, the victim in the hit-and-run crash Wednesday afternoon. (Credit: WINK News)
Ileana Rivera Ortiz, the victim in the hit-and-run crash Wednesday afternoon. (Credit: WINK News)

“She was very kind-hearted,” Alvarez said. “She had that spirit like she would never be quiet in a good way.”

After the victim was hit, she was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead. FMPD officers said the driver took off after the crash. Later on, they responded to a 911 call from the area of Miromar Outlets in Estero.

The call was in reference to a woman reporting that she hit a pedestrian on Colonial Blvd. Investigators had her black, Kia Soul towed to the police station pending a search warrant.

Why no arrest in hit-and-run case?

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