Naples man dead, wildlife officer seriously injured in head-on crash

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – One man is dead and a federal wildlife officer is seriously injured after a head-on collision on Tamiami Trail East.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the crash happened just before 10 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Newport Drive.

Officials told WINK News a 32-year-old Naples man was traveling at a high rate of speed, close to 100 miles per hour, when he failed to maintain his lane, crossed the center line and hit in to the officer’s vehicle. The driver of the Volvo was pronounced dead at the scene. His name has not been released pending next of kin notification.

The wildlife officer, identified as John Eric Costello Reed, was taken to Physicians Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. He was on duty at the time of the incident. Emergency crews used the jaws of life to pull Reed from his marked Chevy Tahoe.

FHP has not yet determined whether alcohol played a role in the crash.