Crash involving semi closes State Road 31 at Bermont Road

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The intersection of State Road 31 and Bermont Road east of Punta Gorda was completely shut down for hours Wednesday in the wake of a crash involving a semitrailer truck that left two with minor injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said.

The wreck happened shortly after 11 a.m., when the driver of a Jeep ran a stop sign and collided with the semi, according to FHP. The semi wound up on its side.

The driver of the Jeep, 69-year-old Punta Gorda resident Walter Howell, was taken to Bayfront Health Punta Gorda, while his passenger, 69-year-old Port Charlotte resident Michael Larkin, went to Lee Memorial Hospital.

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