A woman was struck and killed Sunday night in Cape Coral, and a man is now facing DUI and manslaughter charges in connection with the deadly crash.The crash happened at the intersection of Tower Drive and Santa Rosa Court around 8:55 p.m. and involved a vehicle and a pedestrian.Cape Coral police officers said the pedestrian did not appear to be breathing but had a faint pulse when they arrived at the scene.The woman was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 9:26 p.m.The victim’s family identified her as Debbie Cooper.Rodrigo Coutinho Pereira, 27, of Fort Myers, was arrested after officers determined he had been driving under the influence, police said.According to the Cape Coral Police Department, she was walking her dog west on Tower Drive when a white Dodge work van struck her.Investigators said they spotted an open Bud Light aluminium bottle in the center cup holder when they looked through the driver’s door.A witness, who identified the suspected driver and vehicle, said the victim was walking with a flashlight at the time of the crash, and the witness also smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath.According to the police department, Pereira agreed to participate in standard field sobriety evaluations, but he refused to provide a breath sample. Investigators also allege Pereira’s license was suspended at the time of the crash. CCPD said Pereira also caused approximately $1,500 in damage to the van that he was in but didn’t own.Pereira faces multiple charges, including DUI resulting in death, DUI with property damage, DUI involving alcohol or drugs, and driving with a suspended license involving death or serious injury.Pereira was previously arrested on a DUI charge with a blood alcohol level above 0.15 on May 4. He pleaded not guilty in that case, which had a continuance filed last week, and is still pending in court.Pereira remains in custody at the Lee County Jail. Pereira’s first court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.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. —
A woman was struck and killed Sunday night in Cape Coral, and a man is now facing DUI and manslaughter charges in connection with the deadly crash.
The crash happened at the intersection of Tower Drive and Santa Rosa Court around 8:55 p.m. and involved a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Cape Coral police officers said the pedestrian did not appear to be breathing but had a faint pulse when they arrived at the scene.
The woman was taken to Gulf Coast Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival at approximately 9:26 p.m.
The victim’s family identified her as Debbie Cooper.
Rodrigo Coutinho Pereira, 27, of Fort Myers, was arrested after officers determined he had been driving under the influence, police said.
According to the Cape Coral Police Department, she was walking her dog west on Tower Drive when a white Dodge work van struck her.
Investigators said they spotted an open Bud Light aluminium bottle in the center cup holder when they looked through the driver’s door.
A witness, who identified the suspected driver and vehicle, said the victim was walking with a flashlight at the time of the crash, and the witness also smelled alcohol on the driver’s breath.
According to the police department, Pereira agreed to participate in standard field sobriety evaluations, but he refused to provide a breath sample.
Investigators also allege Pereira’s license was suspended at the time of the crash. CCPD said Pereira also caused approximately $1,500 in damage to the van that he was in but didn’t own.
Pereira faces multiple charges, including DUI resulting in death, DUI with property damage, DUI involving alcohol or drugs, and driving with a suspended license involving death or serious injury.
Pereira was previously arrested on a DUI charge with a blood alcohol level above 0.15 on May 4. He pleaded not guilty in that case, which had a continuance filed last week, and is still pending in court.
Pereira remains in custody at the Lee County Jail. Pereira’s first court hearing is scheduled for Nov. 3.
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.