Man accused of causing chaos in downtown Fort Myers, crashing car into light pole

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

A man was arrested in downtown Fort Myers on Sunday after being accused of fleeing from the police and being involved in multiple crashes.

According to the Fort Myers Police Department, officers noticed a car on Dean Street that was stationary with the wheels spinning, which created a loud screeching sound.

Officers approached the car, which was being driven by Zen Despagni, 21. When Despagni saw the officers, who were waving their arms at him, approaching, he stopped the car momentarily and then sped off past the officers, almost hitting one, FMPD said.

The officers issued a Be on the Lookout alert for the car, and discovered it shortly afterward at 2:17 a.m., crashed into a light pole at the intersection of First Street and Monroe Street, FMPD said.

Officers removed and detained Despagni and one other person from the car. Witnesses approached the officers, who said they had seen Despagni hit a blue Tesla car and leave the scene of the crash, FMPD said.

After he was medically cleared, Despagni was arrested. He faces charges of fleeing/eluding police, resisting an officer without violence, hit and run and two charges of criminal mischief, including property damage.

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