Punta Gorda man killed, teenager hospitalized after US-41 crash

A man was killed and a teenager seriously injured in an early Wednesday morning crash at a US-41 intersection in Charlotte County.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, an 18-year-old man from Punta Gorda was driving a car south in the inside lane of US-41, approaching Notre Dame Boulevard around 3:15 a.m. His passenger was a 17-year-old boy from Punta Gorda.

Another car, driven by a 59-year-old Punta Gorda man, was turning right from Notre Dame Boulevard onto southbound US-41 when it was rear-ended by the first car. The 59-year-old’s car was redirected onto the shoulder and overturned. The other car traveled off the roadway and
came to rest on the shoulder.

The 59-year-old driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The two younger people sustained injuries and were transported to an area hospital; the 17-year-old was left in serious condition.

The crash remains under investigation. Southbound US-41 remains closed at Notre Dame Boulevard.