3-year-old girl killed, 2 others injured in single-vehicle crash on MLK at Rockfill Rd. in Fort Myers

Writer: Derrick Shaw
Published: Updated:
A van involved in a crash along eastbound Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the intersection with Rockfill Road Monday, Feb. 17, 2020. Credit: WINK News.

Fort Myers Police Department responded to a fatal crash that caused delays for eight hours Monday night along Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Fort Myers.

A 3-year-old girl was pronounced dead on scene after the car her family was traveling in was involved in a crash along Martin Luther King Boulevard near the intersection with Rockfill Road.

The 2005 KIA minivan struck a palm tree causing the child to be ejected from the vehicle.

There were three people in the car, including the child. The girl was not in any type of child vehicle restraint and died from her injuries. Two women, one being the child’s mother, were also taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

FDLE assisted with the investigation, which is still active with charges pending.

According to FMPD, the crash happened around 3:30 p.m. and blocked eastbound lanes on MLK Blvd. until 11:30 p.m. before clearing.

We spoke to a man who rushed to the child’s side after the crash.

“It just broke my heart,” said Rob Sorensen. “Like I said, I prayed over her. And, just as Jesus, hey, you know, make sure she’s okay and stuff like that and, ‘Come on, come on, you gotta make it; you got to make it; you have a full life ahead of you.'”

Donna Gross was also a witness to the crash and said one of the child’s parents was in distress.

“She was just crying and yelling, ‘The baby is my life. I live for her. I live for her. She’s all I have left. Please let her live. Please let her live. That’s all I have left,'” Gross said. “We’re like, ‘We gotta call our kids and hug our grandkids.’ It was awful.”

FMPD officers are asking anyone who may have witnessed the wreck to contact Traffic Homicide Unit Officer Daniel Aguilera at daguilera@fmpolice.com

Tips can also be submitted on the new TRUEBLUE app that is free and available for download on the iOS App Store and Google Play Marketplace or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

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