Two-vehicle crash injures Cape police officer, other driver
SPECIAL TO THE BREEZE, news@breezenewspapers.com
A Cape Coral police officer was hospitalized Thursday afternoon after his patrol car collided into another vehicle in the northeast Cape, officials reported.
At 1:17 p.m. Officer Stephen Chase, 24, was traveling north on Northeast Seventh Place with his lights and sirens active when he approached a slower moving Jeep Liberty, according to officials. Chase attempted to pass the Jeep on the left at the same time the Jeep turned left onto Northeast 27th Terrace.
The two vehicles collided sending the patrol car off the road and across three driveways, officials said. Chase was pinned inside the patrol car and had to be extracted by fire rescue using the Jaws of Life on the driver’s side door.
Chase was transported to Cape Coral Hospital and then transferred to Lee Memorial. According to officials, his injuries are serious but not life-threatening.
The driver of the Jeep was taken to Cape Coral Hospital with minor injuries, officials said. He remained unidentified as of Thursday evening.
Florida Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation and will provide an accident report to the city. It is unknown if any charges will be filed.
Additional information will be provided when available, officials reported.