ESTERO, Fla.- A local 17-year-old lost her life after a traffic fatality Wednesday evening.
On Wednesday, at 7:31 p.m., a call was received at the Lee County Sheriff's Office about a vehicle versus pedestrian traffic crash. The incident occurred near the intersection of South Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) and Sweetwater Ranch Boulevard, Estero, Florida. Deputies responded to the scene.
A pedestrian had attempted to cross U.S. 41 from east to west and stepped in front of a white, 2006, Ford E150 van traveling northbound in the far left lane. The pedestrian, identified as 17-year-old Danielle Chapman of Estero, was critically injured after being struck. EMS responded and transported the victim to Gulf Coast Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries despite life-saving efforts.
The driver of the van, 24-year-old Justin Avery of Punta Gorda, has not been charged.
Chapman was an honor student at Estero High School. A steady flow of students have visited the grief counselor on campus after a school-wide moment of silence Thursday morning.
Donations can be made at Wells Fargo Bank to the Danielle L. Chapman Fund.
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