Cape teen recovering from crash
CCPD continuing to investigate reported hit-and-run
John Hopper, a student at Oasis High School, suffered four broken vertebra in his back after a reported hit-and-run crash on Cape Coral Parkway late last month. The Cape Coral Police Department says it is continuing its investigation.
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A Cape Coral teen has been left with four broken vertebra in his back after a reported hit-and-run crash on Cape Coral Parkway late last month.
John Hopper was riding his moped scooter home from a friend’s house in the early morning hours on Feb. 26 when he was rear-ended heading eastbound around the intersection of Cape Coral Parkway and Skyline Boulevard and sent sliding down the road. While Hopper doesn’t remember much, he recalls opening his eyes faintly and watching a vehicle speed down the street and away from the crash scene.
“All of a sudden a big bang happened and I’m on the ground and I don’t even know what happened,” John said. “It happened so fast I didn’t even get a chance to react. When I opened my eyes I see my moped 200 feet away from me and I see the car flooring it. I couldn’t really get a good visual because there was way too much blood running into my eyes and I was in so much pain.”
Luckily, John was wearing a helmet and a leather biker jacket that possibly saved his life. At the sound of the crash, a nearby homeowner came out and assisted John, while the gas station attendant at 7-Eleven (right on the corner of the intersection), who heard and then saw the aftermath, called 911.
“They were really nice to come outside and help me,” John said. “If no one was there I don’t know what I would have done.”
John, an 18-year-old Oasis High School student, said he was driving somewhat cautiously down the parkway, as the city sprinklers were on, making the roadway slick. He said he remembers seeing a car a ways down the road just after he got gas at a nearby Shell, but that there was hundreds of yards between them. That’s when he felt the impact a few minutes later, seemingly out of nowhere.
“I didn’t even hear an engine rev behind me or anything, it was completely unexpected,” he said.
All of the air padding inside of John’s helmet blew and his face shield came unhinged after impact. He has fractures in his L1 through L4 vertebra (lower back) and suffered cuts, scrapes and abrasions all over his body. He was transported to Cape Coral Hospital following the incident.
“Every day you hear about more and more hit-and-run fatalities. I’m very thankful that my son is alive,” said John’s father Scott. “He’s a survivor of a hit-and-run, where a lot of other families aren’t so fortunate.”
The driver remains unidentified and an investigation is still ongoing, said Cape Coal Police Department officials. The police report states that John was struck from behind and the vehicle left the scene. The police report also states that at the time of the report being filed, there was “no suspect or driver information” on the vehicle in question and that a follow up investigation would be conducted.
CCPD officials said on Thursday they had no new information on the case.
John and Scott both said the 7-Eleven attendant recalled a dark-colored Cadillac Escalade with a business sign on the side traveling down the street at a high rate of speed after the crash.
“She heard the crash, she looked out (of the store), and saw the Cadillac emblem on the back of the vehicle,” Scott said. “The way she heard the crash and the vehicle speed up, she said she knew she needed to take note of the type of vehicle.”
The officer assigned to the incident was not available as of press time to confirm if they are looking for a specific make or model, and whether or how the vehicle was damaged.
John’s moped, which he was using to commute until he could afford car insurance payments, was totaled and uninsured (not required by Florida Law). His family has incurred hospital bills totaling $42,000 and has set up a GoFundMe to help with payments.
“Although my son had some health insurance coverage, auto insurance is responsible for paying any claim that generates after an accident,” Scott said. “His health insurance has already declined to cover the hospital bills.”
They hope law enforcement will be able to find the driver. They recently went to local businesses along the parkway to see if any surveillance footage would be available to assist them. Only police can access surveillance footage, and Scott hopes they’ll find a lead soon. Scott said local attorney and friend Carmen Dellutri is assisting them as they try to identify the driver.
Information related to the crash may be reported to the CCPD.
Donations to their GoFundMe can be made by visiting gofundme.com and searching Scott Hopper.
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To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com