A Bonita Springs fire battalion chief was struck by a vehicle while assisting at a crash scene on Interstate 75. The incident occurred just after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday near mile marker 116. The chief was rushed to Gulf Coast Medical Center, where he is now in stable condition.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the 51-year-old battalion chief was directing traffic from an earlier crash while wearing a reflective vest. A 58-year-old woman from Naples swerved onto the shoulder to avoid slowed traffic and hit him.
John Flowers, a Lee County resident, expressed concern for the battalion chief’s condition.
“Unfortunately, in this case, somebody is in the hospital right now trying to, you know, his life is trying to be saved from trying to save other lives,” said Flowers.
Emergency crews provided advanced medical treatment on the scene before transporting the chief as a trauma alert to the hospital.
“No one ever wants to hear about things like this, and I think it’s really, really important that we as citizens are aware of things that are going on on the road to prevent something like this from happening,” said Flowers.
The crash led to the closure of all southbound lanes for several hours as investigators worked at the scene.
Bobby Adkins, another Lee County resident, emphasized the importance of paying attention on the road.
“Law enforcement officers are there for a reason. They’re here protecting us. First responders are here protecting us. The least we can do is just pay attention,” said Adkins.
Fire Chief Gregory DeWitt provided an update, stating that the battalion chief is stable and expected to remain so during his recovery. The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
Adkins urged drivers to consider the impact of their actions on families.
“You know, like, and for me, put themselves in that family situation. What if it was their mom or their dad or their brother or their sister or, gosh forbid, their kid? It could be, so put the phones down. Pay attention to the road,” said Adkins.
The focus for the fire department is on the battalion chief’s recovery and reminding drivers to stay alert when they see flashing lights on the road.
