The Naples Daily News recently looked at data from the Florida Department of Transportation to find the intersections and stretches of highway in Collier County with the highest number of fatal crashes from 2011 through June 2022.
According to the Naples Daily News analysis, Collier County has seen an overall increase in fatal crashes over the last five years, following state and national trends.
The number of fatal crashes jumped 12.8% from 2018 through 2022, according to data from the state Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
Nationwide, traffic fatalities increased 14% over the same period, according to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Fatal crashes also increased across Florida, though at a slower pace – an 11.5% jump.
What Are the Most Dangerous Roadways in Collier County?
Overall, I-75 was the deadliest roadway in Collier County, accounting for more than 20 percent of fatal crashes, according to the state transportation data.
Here are the most lethal intersections and highway interchanges in the county:
- I-75 and Pine Ridge Road: Seven people died in six crashes near the interchange for I-75 at Pine Ridge Road. Two of those crashes were at on- or off-ramps, and four were on the roadway. One crash involved an impaired wrong-way driver who struck a pickup truck in the early morning of Sept. 4, 2021, on I-75.
- I-75 and Immokalee Road: Six fatal crashes killed six people near this interchange, according to the FDOT data. Half involved distracted driving, and half included drivers who were 65 or older. The largest of the crashes was a three-vehicle collision that killed one and injured six shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, 2014.
- U.S. 41 and County Road 864: Four fatal crashes were near this four-way intersection in East Naples, where Thomasson Drive turns into Rattlesnake Hammock Road. Three of those four directly involved the intersection, where seven-lane County Road 864 meets nine-lane U.S. 41 at a 1,000-square-foot box governed by traffic signals. One of those crashes killed a crossing pedestrian when a driver swerved into her to avoid another vehicle in the intersection. Another crash killed a bicyclist in 2014, according to the data.
- Immokalee Road and Camp Keais Road: Four crashes killed seven people on roadways near this rural intersection just outside of Immokalee. Three were on Immokalee Road and one on Camp Keais Road. Three Immokalee High School students died in one of those crashes on Halloween in 2013 when their car struck a concrete culvert off of Immokalee Road and flipped over.
- State Road 82 and State Road 29: Four fatal crashes occurred near this junction of state highways from 2018 through 2020. According to the data, one occurred at the intersection, and the other three occurred on stretches of road close by. In 2019, the state began work on A project to turn the T-intersection into a roundabout, citing safety improvements. That work has since been completed.
Taking Action After an Accident
Unfortunately, accidents on the roads of Collier County are not only common but are also on the rise, reflecting state and national trends. The distressing data underscores the need for diligent and assertive legal representation when someone else's negligence or recklessness causes these tragic incidents. If you or a loved one has been affected by such an accident, you have the right to seek accountability and compensation for your suffering.
Pittman Law Firm, P.L., based in Bonita Springs, navigates these complex situations. We provide the comprehensive support clients need to pursue justice and seek the compensation they deserve.
Whether you're dealing with the aftermath of a collision on I-75 or another high-risk area in Collier County, our experienced legal team is here to help. Call (239) 603-6913 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.