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Article Courtesy of WINK
NEWS
By
Liz Biro
Published January 15, 2026
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NORTH FORT MYERS — Homeowners in a North Fort Myers neighborhood said they are
once again paying thousands of dollars out of pocket after another car crashed
into a concrete wall along Del Prado Boulevard North.
It marked the third crash into the wall in recent years, with the latest impact
happening only weeks ago — less than a quarter mile from a similar crash six
months earlier. Neighbors said the damage keeps piling up, and so do the repair
bills.
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Del Prado Boulevard is maintained by Lee
County, but the concrete wall belongs to the Sabal Springs
Golf and Racquet community. That means when a car leaves the
roadway and slams into it, the cost falls on homeowners
through HOA fees.
Residents said they understand the wall is their
responsibility, but they’re asking the county to help
prevent future crashes — not just to avoid more repair
costs, but because of what could happen next.
Some homes sit just feet from the wall. Neighbors worry
another out-of-control vehicle could go beyond the concrete
and straight into a bedroom.
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"I
mean, the rear of the house is a bedroom," said homeowner James Gannon. "If it's
done at night and somebody crashes through, you have a car or a truck going into
somebody's bedroom."
Residents describe drivers regularly speeding through the corridor, despite a
posted 45-mile-per-hour speed limit. They said cars frequently pass at much
higher speeds, especially at night.
Gannon floated ideas like guardrails, lowering the speed limit, or adding a
traffic signal — anything to slow drivers before another crash happens.
According to Lee County, the wall is private property, and Lee County DOT does
not have a role in paying for repairs. Maintenance and upkeep fall to the
community, typically through the HOA.
As for speed limits, Lee County said they are set using the State Speed Zoning
Manual, and lowering speed limits alone does not change driver behavior without
enforcement.
The county also explained that traffic signals can only be installed if they
meet specific criteria outlined in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
(MUTCD). Officials said traffic signals are not designed to slow drivers and can
sometimes lead to more crashes due to stopping and starting, though those
crashes are often less severe.
Lee County did say it can coordinate with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for
targeted speed enforcement in the area.
Neighbors said enforcement and safety changes can’t come soon enough. Until
something changes, they worry the next crash won’t just damage a wall — it could
destroy a home.
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