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Bicyclist Struck By Vehicle Leaving One Dead

(February 1, 2023) - On January 31, 2023, at approximately 3:58 p.m. Officers from the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic accident at 1400-block of County Club Boulevard. Major Crash Investigators responded to the scene. The synopsis of the crash from the Major Crash Investigator is as follows:

DATE:
January 31, 2023

TIME:  3:58 p.m.

LOCATION: 1400-block Country Club Boulevard 

CR#:  23-002527

ASSIGNED MCI: Officer Stephen Leonard  

VEHICLE 1: 2022 White Ram 3500

TRAILER: 2023 Black PJ Dump Trailer

DRIVER: Carlos Mendoza Garcia, DOB 05/02/1983 of Fort Myers. 

DRIVER INJURIES: Carlos did not suffer any injuries from the crash.

BICYCLE 1: Silver Marin bicycle 

BICYCLIST: Lee Earl Cavanaugh, DOB 09/21/1951, 302 West Elmwood Avenue, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

BICYCLIST INJURIES: Lee suffered fatal injuries as a result of the crash. 

SYNOPSIS: 

V1 was traveling north at the 1400-block of Country Club Boulevard in the outside right lane towing a dump trailer. 

Bicyclist 1 was traveling north at the 1400-block of Country Club Boulevard on the sidewalk on the east side of the road. 

The sidewalk was closed and the bicyclist crossed from the sidewalk into the outside right lane of Country club utilizing the driveway of 1426 Country Club Boulevard. 

Bicyclist 1 darted into the path of V1 who slowed and swerved within the lane to avoid a collision because there were vehicles in the left lane. The bicyclist was struck by the passenger side of V1 and the passenger side of the trailer being towed by V1. The bicyclist was ejected and came to final rest on the grass shoulder to the north of the initial impact. V1 pulled off the road at the intersection of Country Club Blvd. and SE 14th Street. 

Bicyclist 1 was transported to Cape Coral Hospital where they passed away a short time later. 

Alcohol/drugs ARE NOT a factor in this crash. Speed is NOT a factor at this time. Next-of-kin HAVE BEEN notified.

If you witnessed this traffic crash or have information about this traffic crash, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department by calling 239-574-3223, or submitting a tip to CCPDtips@capecoral.gov 

Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS.

Please reference Case Report # 23-002527.

***There are 2 traffic fatalities and 6 MCI usages in our city in 2023. (DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 fatality ruled "medical" (i.e. cause of death not related to traffic crash injuries)). 

2023= 2 Traffic fatalities, 0 DUI related (6 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 medical ruled death) 
2022= 11 Traffic fatalities, 2 DUI related (38 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 medical ruled death) 
2021= 12 Traffic fatalities, 5 DUI related (44 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled death) 
2020= 19 Traffic fatalities, 7 DUI related (54 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 1 medical ruled death) 
2019= 16 Traffic fatalities, 8 DUI related (39 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical ruled deaths)

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