From the Florida Highway Patrol
Troopers from the Florida Highway Patrol arrested a driver last night in a fatal collision that killed one pedestrian and critically injured another.
According to the FHP release, on December 20th, at approximately 9:51 pm, a 25-year-old Bonita Springs man was traveling west in a sport utility vehicle on Pennsylvania Avenue, approaching a curve, west of Rio Vista Circle.
At the same time, a 39-year-old Bonita Springs man, and a 37-year-old Bonita Springs woman (with their dog), were walking west along the Pennsylvania Avenue sidewalk.
As it approached, the SUV traveled off the roadway, collided with the pedestrians, the dog, and the guardrail, and overturned.
The male pedestrian was pronounced deceased on scene. The dog was also pronounced deceased on scene. The female pedestrian sustained critical injuries and was transported to an area hospital.
The driver and a passenger (a 22-year-old Bonita Springs man) sustained serious injuries and were transported to an area hospital.
UPDATE:
On 12/21/25, an FHP trooper arrested the driver, Ever Alfredo Matias, for DUI Manslaughter and booked him into the Lee County Jail.
The crash remains under investigation.
The FHP did not release the names of the pedestrians or the passenger involved in the collision.
This breaking news may be updated if more details are known.
