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North Fort Myers, FL (September 13, 2026) –The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash on Del Prado Boulevard North that killed a 34-year-old Punta Gorda woman Friday afternoon, September 11. Her Hyundai Elantra rear-ended a stopped Ford work van around 3:36 p.m. near Mote Isola Way.
The woman was driving east when traffic ahead stopped. Her Elantra struck the rear of the work van and then left the roadway, coming to rest on the grass shoulder. Responders pronounced the woman dead at the scene. The 25-year-old North Fort Myers man driving the work van suffered non-incapacitating injuries and was treated following the collision.
The crash caused all eastbound lanes of Del Prado Boulevard North near Mote Isola Way to close for several hours. The roadway reopened Friday evening after the investigation at the scene was completed.
We are thinking of the family and friends and send our sincere sympathy.
How Rear-End Crashes Can Cause Serious Injuries
Rear-end collisions can cause severe injuries when a vehicle strikes another car with significant force. The severity can depend on factors such as vehicle speed, the size of the vehicles involved, road conditions, and whether traffic is moving or stopped.
Make sure to watch for changing traffic conditions and leave enough space to stop safely. Keeping attention on vehicles ahead can provide more time to react when traffic suddenly slows or comes to a stop. Reducing distractions can also help drivers respond quickly to changing roadway conditions.
