Bonita Springs DUI crash kills person and dog; driver faces charges

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. - An SUV struck two pedestrians and their dog on Pennsylvania Avenue in Bonita Springs, resulting in one death and critical injuries to another individual on Saturday night. The dog also died at the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that the SUV veered off the roadway, mounted the sidewalk, and overturned after hitting the pedestrians.

"We heard some kind of loud bang or thump, but you couldn't really tell what it was," said a witness.

The surviving pedestrian was taken to the hospital, sustaining critical injuries, but was conscious and talking.

"I did see them bring her up out of the woods over here and put her on a stretcher. And she was conscious. She had been talking, and hopefully she's okay," said a neighbor.

The collision left a visible aftermath, with torn guardrails, bent road signs, and a knocked-over tree. The community is shaken by the incident.

"It's horrific. I walk the street. My neighbors walk their dogs in the street. People, kids ride by here all the time," said another resident.

The driver, Ever Alfredo Matias Burgos, was arrested for DUI manslaughter by the Florida Highway Patrol.

"If you're drinking, don't take a chance. Even if it's not your fault, somebody could hit you and you've been drinking, it's going to be your fault. So it's not worth it," said a concerned individual.

For neighbors like Adam Feist, the role of alcohol in the crash was unsurprising.

"I wasn't surprised," said Feist.

The investigation remains active as authorities continue to gather evidence and piece together the details of the crash.