Fort Myers, FL (November 6, 2018) - A motorcycle accident on Monday, November 5th left one person dead in Fort Myers.
Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene on Pondella Road in reference to a motorcycle and vehicle crash. Upon arrival, troopers began an investigation into the crash. Officials say that Steffen Bighames was driving a Chevy Impala in the westbound lanes of Pondella. At the same time, 20-year-old William Sanger was traveling eastbound on the same road.
As the vehicles approached an intersection, Bighames failed to yield at a stoplight while making a left turn. Bighames pulled out in front of Sanger's motorcycle causing a collision. Sanger died at the scene. It is not clear whether Bighames sustained injuries in the crash.
There is no word at this time on whether any charges will be filed. The investigation is still ongoing.
Over 5,000 people were killed in motorcycle accidents in 2015. This is a large number considering that only 3% of registered vehicles are motorcycles. The rate of severe and deadly accidents among motorcycles is much higher than accidents involving passenger and other types of vehicles.
In this accident, it appears as though a failure to yield the right of way may have caused a tragedy to occur. Our thoughts and condolences are with the family of the deceased motorcyclist during this difficult time.
At Rubenstein Law, we know how heartbreaking a fatal accident can be. If you have lost a loved one due to someone else's negligence, we can help you begin to pick up the pieces and protect your legal rights. For a free consultation with a Florida wrongful death attorney, call us at 1-800 FL-Legal.
Rubenstein Law is dedicated to serving individuals & families injured by the negligence of others. We know first-hand the heartbreak that can be left behind after an accident. In our news blog, we write about cases of personal injury relevant to our line of work, and we report on news of judgments and appellate cases that affect the rights of personal injury claimants. We feel a responsibility to raise awareness of the injury and tragic loss of life occurring across our state every day.
Note: These posts are created using publicly available (secondary) sources, information has not been independently verified. If you see information that should be corrected, please bring it to our attention, and we will make adjustments