PHOTO: Picture of Cape Coral Police Patrol Car outside of crime scene tape at a serious injury crash. (Photo Courtesy of Cape Coral Police Department)
CAPE CORAL POLICE DEPARTMENT
Public Affairs Office
1100 Cultural Park Boulevard
Cape Coral, FL 33990
(239) 242-3341
Driver's Condition From Yesterday's Serious Injury Crash on Del Prado Improved; Alcohol and/or Drugs a Factor
(April 10, 2014)- Yesterday evening around 6:00 PM, Cape Coral Police responded to a major traffic crash in the 2300 block of Del Prado Boulevard S., near Veterans Memorial Parkway.
The crash involved a passenger car and a motorcycle and as a result of the crash, the motorcyclist was ejected and sustained, what was believed to be at the time, life-threatening injuries. The motorcyclist's condition has since been downgraded to serious, but non-life-threatening.
Cape Coral Police Department Patrol Officers, Traffic Homicide investigators (THI), and Forensics responded to the scene. The investigation thus far revealed that alcohol and/or drugs are a factor. Please see the initial synopsis from the THI:
DATE: April 9, 2014
TIME: 1759
CR: 14-005986
LOCATION: 2300-Block of Del Prado Boulevard South
ASSIGNED THI: Corporal Nickolas J. Slover
VEHICLE 1: a silver/black, 2004 Honda Shadow Motorcycle.
DRIVER 1: Leonard Mark Chaifetz, W/M, 12/09/1953, 1020 Southeast 26th Terrace, Cape Coral, Florida 33904.
DRIVER 1 INJURIES: Chaifetz was trauma alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries but is now listed in stable condition with serious injuries.
VEHICLE 2: a white, 2006 Hyundai Elantra five door.
DRIVER 2: Kathleen Ann Francois, W/F, 06/05/1965, 2308 Highway 84 West, Brownwood, Texas 76801.
DRIVER 2 INJURIES: Francois reported no injuries at the time of the traffic crash.
PASSENGER 2: Dawn M. Barnum, W/F, 06/05/1959, 309 King Muir Road, Lake Forrest, Illinois, 60045.
PASSENGER 2 INJURIES: Barnum reported no injuries at the time of the traffic crash.
SYNOPSIS: Vehicle # 1, was South bound on Del Prado Boulevard South, in the middle lane, approaching the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway.
Vehicle # 2, was South bound on Del Prado Boulevard South, in the inside lane, approaching the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway.
For unknown reasons, the driver of Vehicle # 1 changed lanes from the middle lane into the inside lane. This action caused Vehicle # 1 to strike Vehicle # 2 on the right side. The driver of Vehicle # 1 was ejected from the motorcycle. The motorcycle and driver slid in a Southwest direction before coming to final rest just before the intersection of Veterans Memorial Parkway. The driver of Vehicle # 1 was trauma alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital with life threatening injuries. Once at the hospital, the driver of Vehicle # 1 was downgraded and is listed with serious but non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of Vehicle # 1 was NOT wearing a helmet at the time of the traffic crash. Alcohol/drugs ARE a factor in the traffic crash. THI Officers Slover and Satterlee responded, as well as Forensics Potts.
Breakdown of the past 5 years FYI:
2014= 2 Traffic fatalities
2013= 18 Traffic fatalities (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled deaths)
2012= 10 Traffic fatalities
2011= 11 Traffic fatalities (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical and 1 suicide ruled deaths)
2010= 9 Traffic fatalities
2009= 8 Traffic fatalities (this number DOES NOT INCLUDE 1 medical ruled death)
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