Collier County man catches fiery, deadly crash on camera

A deadly crash on Sunday evening at Airport Pulling Road and Progress Avenue was caught on camera. The man who captured the video says he saw everything.

The car went up in flames and began billowing smoke. The wreck caused many who were driving the busy stretch of road to stop and look, including Andre Griggs.

“It happened right in front of me,” said Griggs. He was on his way home.

“We heard this explosion, and then there was this big gush of black smoke,” Griggs said. “And then there was this huge flame that burst out.”

Andre said he thought a building was on fire. “I thought a building was on fire at first it was that much smoke,” said Griggs.

The 47-year-old driver died at the scene and the car was destroyed. “The car was in pieces,” Griggs said.

According to the FHP report, the driver was heading north on Airport Pulling Road and crashed in a stoplight pole near Progress Avenue. The car was split in two. The impact threw the driver from his car.

“I didn’t see anything but fire and then I saw the guy laying down in the median,” he said.

The man who died was not wearing a seatbelt.

“I’m just sorry that someone had to go through that around the holidays. It’s hard enough for most people,” Griggs said. “I’m just praying for his family and hope they have enough strength to deal with this.”

No other cars or passengers were involved in the crash.

*The Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of those involved in crashes, citing Marsy’s Law.