News

Update #2: Traffic Homicide Detectives Seeking Information on Traffic Fatality

Monday, September 17, 2012

Detectives with the Traffic Homicide Unit of the Lee County Sheriff's Office are still seeking information on a traffic crash that killed a man last month.  The crash occurred on August 6, 2012 on State Road 82 at Rue Labeau Circle.

Upon further investigation, detectives believe the third vehicle they are searching for is a dark blue older model box type/style vehicle.  A witness at the scene states this vehicle was in front of hers as the crash unfolded.  Detectives want to speak to the driver and any other occupants of this vehicle as they are possible witnesses to this crash and may not even know they were involved in the crash.

Anyone with information on this fatal crash is asked to call Corporal Lenny Gould at 477-1000.   

(Update #1 from August 15, 2012)

Detectives with the Traffic Homicide Unit of the Lee County Sheriff's Office believe a third vehicle may have been involved in a crash that caused the death of a man earlier this month.  Evidence uncovered during the investigation indicates a third vehicle, possibly blue in color, may have left the scene with front end damage.  Detectives are asking anyone who saw the crash scene to call Corporal Lenny Gould at 239-477-1000

The crash occurred on Monday, August 6, 2012 at 4:42 p.m. on State Road 82 at Rue Labeau Circle.

(Original release from August 8, 2012)

Man Dies From Injuries Sustained in Vehicle Crash

On Monday August 6, 2012, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office received a call of a vehicle crash with serious injures near the intersection of State Road 82 and Rue Labeau Circle in Lehigh Acres. Due to the nature of the incident, a Traffic Homicide Detective with the Lee County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit responded to investigate.

The preliminary investigation revealed a 2000 Lincoln Town Car was traveling westbound on State Road 82 and a 2010 Toyota Prius was traveling eastbound on State Road 82. The driver of the Town Car lost control of his vehicle and crossed left of center into the path of the Prius. The driver of the Prius took evasive action but was unable to avoid the impact, striking the Town Car in the driver side door. This impact caused both vehicles to rotate and come to final rest in the eastbound lanes of State Road 82.

The driver and passenger of the Prius were taken to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries. They are identified as:

Deborah Kay Cowans, (DOB 05/09/1955), 2618 Brewton Court, Clearwater, FL (Driver)

Bessie Philips Robinson, (DOB 04/30/1944), 9730 Taylor Rose Lane, Seminole, FL (Passenger)

Cowans has been treated and released and Robinson remains hospitalized.

The driver and only occupant of the Town Car was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital with serious life-threatening injuries. He died the following day as a result of the injuries he sustained in the crash. He has been identified as:

John Thomas Simpson (DOB 04/10/1994) 155 Duke Avenue South, Lehigh Acres FL

Media inquiries are directed to the Public Information Office at 239-477-1340.

she/322239 (3:59 p.m.)