More than 35 people hit in Collier County; One woman speaks after getting hit by two cars

NORTH NAPLES, Fla.- More than 30 people have been hit by cars in Collier County this year; it’s almost a person a day.

February isn’t over yet and the county already has 10 more cars vs. pedestrians/cyclists than it did last year.

WINK News spoke with one victim who was thrown from her bike after getting hit by two cars.

“I woke up in the hospital and I have no idea what happened,” said Heidi Bal, an exchange student who has only been here for 2 months. “The nurse told me I was hit by two cars.”

Bal picked up her bike near Pine Ridge Road and Airport Pulling Road but she doesn’t recall that either. She had to be airlifted out. Her friend on scene that night spoke to our camera saying she was going to “call a taxi to go to the hospital and see her”.

Bal is one victim; there have been more than 35 people hit in Collier County since the beginning of the year.

The numbers are growing and it’s causing concern.

“It seems like we are a little higher than last year with a quick look at statistics,” said Lt. Gregory Bueno of the Florida Highway Patrol. “During season there is an influx of traffic and more people on the road.”

Last year at this time, 23 people had been hit. Some did not survive.

Bal knows she is blessed and is glad she was wearing a helmet.

“I feel quite lucky because I was wearing a helmet,” said Bal. “Yes, that saved my life, only me and my friend wear a helmet.”

She says she suffered a minor brain injury and broke a rib.

“When I woke up, I had pain in my head, I had a headache and my rib was painful.”

But somehow after getting hit by two cars, she survived. “I looked at the report, it was quite scary.”

If you are walking, biking or running, troopers want to remind you to wear reflective clothing and carry a flash light. As for drivers, authorities say slow down and stay alert.