Late-night crashes clog Lee County traffic

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. — Two crashes within a few miles of each other snarled traffic Thursday night, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The first crash occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Lee Boulevard and Williams Avenue.

A BMW was traveling east on Lee Boulevard while a Hyundai Elantra was heading west on the inside lane.

However, the BMW suddenly turned left over the median and crashed head-on into the Hyundai, FHP said.

The driver and passenger were transported to Lee Memorial and are in critical condition.

The second crash took place within 30 minutes of the first crash on Lee Boulevard and Lee Court. A moped rider was struck by another car. The driver fled the scene, witnesses said.

The rider was transported to the hospital, FHP said.

It is unclear what caused the crashes.

No further information was immediately available.