Speeding Kills Man - 3 Passengers Injured

Midnight Ride May Be Alcohol Related

LABELLE, FL. -- The Florida Highway Patrol says a LaBelle man is dead as a result of speeding on a rural road. At 12:51 a.m. early Monday a vehicle went airborne over a creek and ended up between several trees, killing the driver

Three passengers, Porfirio Hernandez, 24, Jose Hernandez 30, and Aburto Corona were all taken to Lee Memorial Hospital with minor injuries.

A 2008 Dodge Durango SUV driven by Arturo Martinez Vicente, 30  was traveling west on Fort Denaud Road west of LaBelle at a high rate of speed, said FHP Trooper J. Mulhem.

The driver failed to maintain his lane, and the SUV began to leave the roadway on the right (north) side, struck a garbage can, refuse cart, traveled onto the north shoulder of the roadway, then struck a ditch culvert, became airborne, struck a chain link fence, tree, and continued to be airborne while traveling over the width of Matthew Creek in its entirety.

The vehicle then struck several trees on the opposite side of Matthew Creek before coming to final rest lodged between several trees, partially suspended with its right side off the ground and facing west.

A blood alcohol test is pending on the deceased driver.