Burnt Store Rd in Cape Coral has seen nearly 60 crashes over the past year; some deadly
Updated: 4:53 PM EDT Oct 23, 2025
Residents of Cape Coral are urging for increased police presence and safety measures on Burnt Store Road, a 20-mile stretch known for its narrow lanes and lack of lighting, following multiple crashes, including three fatalities in the past year.John Fleming, chairman of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “It’s a matter of life and death. I tell people.”The roadway has seen 59 crashes over the last year, between Nov. 2024 and Oct. 2025.Jeff Russell, a Cape Coral resident, expressed frustration with the speeding on the road, stating, “I’m doing the maximum and posted speed on that road. What is wrong with people?” Despite police claims of patrolling the area, Russell said, “I haven’t seen many cops out there at all. It’s like the Wild West.”Fleming described a five-mile stretch of the road as a “racetrack” and called for intervention, saying, “We need something, someone to step in and say, this has got to change.”The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition has met with Cape Coral police, Charlotte County leaders, and Lee County deputies to advocate for lower speed limits, improved lighting, and more visible patrols.Fleming noted, “If you put a police car there, it sends a message to people. They change how they drive. No one wants a ticket, okay? There is no substitute for seeing a police for their residents want that more than anything.”Residents are urging drivers to slow down to prevent further accidents, and the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition plans to petition Lee County commissioners for a public workshop this fall.Map: See crashes on Burnt Store Road from Nov. 2024 to Oct. 2025.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
Residents of Cape Coral are urging for increased police presence and safety measures on Burnt Store Road, a 20-mile stretch known for its narrow lanes and lack of lighting, following multiple crashes, including three fatalities in the past year.
John Fleming, chairman of the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “It’s a matter of life and death. I tell people.”
The roadway has seen 59 crashes over the last year, between Nov. 2024 and Oct. 2025.
Jeff Russell, a Cape Coral resident, expressed frustration with the speeding on the road, stating, “I’m doing the maximum and posted speed on that road. What is wrong with people?” Despite police claims of patrolling the area, Russell said, “I haven’t seen many cops out there at all. It’s like the Wild West.”
Fleming described a five-mile stretch of the road as a “racetrack” and called for intervention, saying, “We need something, someone to step in and say, this has got to change.”
The Burnt Store Corridor Coalition has met with Cape Coral police, Charlotte County leaders, and Lee County deputies to advocate for lower speed limits, improved lighting, and more visible patrols.
Fleming noted, “If you put a police car there, it sends a message to people. They change how they drive. No one wants a ticket, okay? There is no substitute for seeing a police for their residents want that more than anything.”
Residents are urging drivers to slow down to prevent further accidents, and the Burnt Store Corridor Coalition plans to petition Lee County commissioners for a public workshop this fall.
Map: See crashes on Burnt Store Road from Nov. 2024 to Oct. 2025.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.