Identity of canal traffic fatality released
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has released the name of a man found dead in his truck in a Lehigh Acres canal.
He has been identified as Timothy Lawlor, 40, of 3511 30th Street S.W., Lehigh Acres. Lawlor was reported missing Tuesday morning by his wife. He had not returned home after leaving his place of employment around 10 p.m. Monday, officials said.
Deputies with the Sheriff’s Office Aviation unit spotted a vehicle submerged in a canal, just south of the intersection of Sunshine Boulevard and 1st Street West today at 10:51 a.m. The helicopter crew had been looking for a 2000, green, Ford Ranger pickup truck last known to be driven by the missing man.
Bravo District Patrol deputies responded to the canal. The Sheriff’s Office Dive Team arrived to help in the recovery of the vehicle. Lawlor was found deceased inside the cab of the truck, officials said.
Due to the nature of the incident, a Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Investigator has been assigned to continue the investigation. The District 21 Medical Examiner will perform an autopsy.
Preliminary information indicates Lawlor suffered a seizure causing him to lose control of the truck. The vehicle struck the guardrail and came to rest in the canal, officials said.
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Office