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Matlacha woman dies after vehicle crashes into patrons at The BBQ Place

By Breeze Staff Report - | Apr 15, 2024

An 80-year-old Matlacha woman who was sitting with friends at a table outside The BBQ Place in Matlacha was killed and four others injured when a vehicle went off the road and crashed into their table Saturday afternoon.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a sedan that was traveling east on Pine Island Road struck five patrons seated at outside restaurant tables at The BBQ Place, and then hit an unoccupied motorcycle and a westbound pickup truck.

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Chief Ben Mickuleit reported that, at 5:50 p.m., Saturday, a number of island emergency crews, along with four ambulances and two EMS supervisors, responded to the report of multiple people being struck by a vehicle at a restaurant in Matlacha.

Mickuleit said one victim was found to be deceased and three victims were trauma alert transported to the hospital by ground ambulance, and one victim was transported by helicopter.

Those injured ranged in age from 55 to 77. Two are from Matlacha and two are from Sanibel, the FHP report states.

The driver of the sedan, whose name was not released, is a 24-year-old man from Cape Coral, officials said. The man was not injured, according to the FHP report.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the sedan was traveling east on Pine Island Road NW, south of Island Avenue when it when off the roadway and entered the north gravel shoulder at about 5:50 p.m. The car then collided with a no-parking sign and wooden decorative post and traveled into the outside seating area of an eatery at 4590 Pine Island Road.

The vehicle struck the building as well as a motorcycle parked at the restaurant, mailboxes and garbage cans, re-entered the roadway and struck the pickup truck, according to FHP.

The crash remains under investigation. Charges are pending, according to FHP.