Crashes keep hitting Del Prado wall, HOA left covering the cost

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. — 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.

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.

"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.

• Read our deeper dive on speeding concerns along Del Prado Boulevard

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.