SWFL chef, caterer Brian Roland injured under elevator at Ferrari Naples

Popular Southwest Florida chef and caterer Brian Roland was injured by a freight elevator at a car dealership Saturday night.

According to an incident report from the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, first responders found Roland, 42, trapped beneath a freight elevator platform at Ferrari Naples, located at 11291 Tamiami Trail N., at around 9:30 p.m. A party was being held at the time of the incident.

He was pulled out from beneath the elevator and transported to Lee Memorial Hospital to be treated for his injuries. At last check, Roland was in critical condition.

No one has said how Roland became pinned under an elevator that was designed to raise and lower cars. But friends of the chef are asking everyone to keep him in their prayers.

He is a husband, a father, and an entrepreneur. Diane Pisani says he’s touched lives. “And somebody who has touched more lives than I can even imagine,” said Pisani.

Roland is the owner of Crave Culinaire, located at 9241 Brookwood Court in Bonita Springs, and formerly executive chef at M Waterfront Grille, located at 4300 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. in Naples.

“And he… he’s one of our… one of our biggest success stories in town, truly, truly gives back to the community,” said Pisani.

“Some people know him closely. And some of us… some of us more from afar, but everybody knows him, everybody,” Pisani said.

Kevin Aizenshtat lives in Collier County and is close to Roland. “So I feel like, you know, a little brother kind of relationship,”  Aizenshtat said. “Brian Roland is a person who leads with his heart. He’s a very giving person. He gives back to the community.”

Aizenshtat says this is heartbreaking and wants people to keep Roland in their prayers. “Heartbreak, community prayers. Everybody’s got Brian, his family in their prayers,” said Aizenshtat.

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