A vehicle traveling northbound on Del Prado Boulevard South over-corrected and pulled in front of oncoming traffic on Wednesday afternoon. The driver appeared to suffer from life-threatening injuries on the scene that were downgraded to serious at the hospital.
DATE: January 26, 2022 @ 1:52 pm
LOCATION: Del Prado Blvd S/Beach Pkwy
VEHICLE 1: 2002 Maroon Toyota Camry, Florida tag, driven by Michele Juliette Witlin, DOB 03/14/1988, of Cape Coral. Witlin was thought to have suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash but those injuries were later downgraded to serious but non-life-threatening.
VEHICLE 2: 2021 Beige Lexus RX-350, Florida tag, driven by Berge Harry Aslanian, DOB 10/14/1947, of Cape Coral. Aslanian suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
VEHICLE 3: 2018 Red Kia Sorento, Florida tag, driven by Stephen Henry Pohlman, DOB 08/12/1952, of Cape Coral. Pohlman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
SYNOPSIS:
Vehicle 1 was traveling northbound in the inside travel lane on Del Prado Blvd S approaching Beach Pkwy. Vehicle 2 was traveling southbound in the inside travel lane on Del Prado Blvd S approaching Beach Pkwy. Vehicle 3 was traveling southbound in the center travel lane on Del Prado Blvd S approaching Beach Pkwy slightly behind Vehicle 2.
There was an unidentified vehicle that was in the southbound left-turn lane that made a left turn (eastbound) onto Beach Pkwy in front of Vehicle 1. Based on video recovered from nearby businesses, it appears that the vehicle’s left turn required very little (if any) reaction from Vehicle 1. However, in reaction to the turning vehicle, Vehicle 1 slammed on the brakes and swerved to the left entering the inside southbound travel lane of Del Prado Blvd S while still traveling north (wrong direction).
Vehicle 1`s front bumper collided head-on with Vehicle 2`s left driver side panel. This impact caused Vehicle 2`s rear end to become lifted off the ground, and to come to rest on the top of Vehicle 3`s hood. Vehicle 2 then rotated counterclockwise while still traveling southbound, while Vehicle 3 swerved right post-impact. Both Vehicle 2 and Vehicle 3 came to final rest facing southwest on the sidewalk and outside travel lane of Del Prado Blvd S.
Vehicle 1 was pushed back from the initial collision, rotated counterclockwise, and came to rest in the middle of the southbound left-turn lane of Del Prado Blvd facing northwest.
Driver of Vehicle 1 was not wearing a seatbelt and was unresponsive after the collision. Driver of Vehicle 1 was trauma alerted to Gulf Coast Hospital via EMS with life-threatening injuries. Driver of Vehicle 2 and the driver of Vehicle 3 suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were both taken to Lee Memorial Hospital via EMS.
Alcohol/drugs ARE a factor in this crash. Speed is NOT a factor in this crash. Next-of-kin HAVE BEEN notified.
The Traffic Homicide Unit deployed the Leica RTC360 scanner and laser mapped the scene of the incident.
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, submitting an anonymous tip at www.capecops.com/tips, https://new.tipsubmit.com/en/create-report/anonymous , sending us a message through our social media platforms or calling Crime stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Please use the Case Report # 22-002009.
