Deputies investigate crash, homicide that left one dead Saturday morning

At least one person was killed Saturday morning in the area of Ruth Avenue, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

A crash took place around 2 a.m. near Ruth Avenue North and 31st Street West, deputies said. Officials determined the driver was a victim of a homicide.

Nearby residents spotted helicopters in the area all morning.

Authorities are searching for clues as to what led a car to end up on the side of 31st Street West in Lehigh Acres. Deputies say the driver of a grey van is the victim of a homicide in what neighbors say is a typically peaceful community.

“We noticed the yellow tapes and we kind of figured that there maybe a pretty serious crime committed here,” said neighbor Phil Casey.

Evidence markers spanned blocks, and could be seen yards away from where the van was found, making this investigation mysterious to people who live nearby.

“It’s a pretty big extensive area that’s taped off and this is actually a shock to this community because we never had anything like this here,” Casey said. “The bottom line is that it is going to have us open our eyes a little bit more in the community.”

Right now, deputies are still trying to notify the family members of the person killed Saturday morning.