Fort Myers woman denied bond after fleeing traffic stop, shot by deputy

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A Lee County woman will remain in jail after trying to escape from a deputy during a traffic stop back in November.

Sandra Nichols was pulled over near the Sam Galloway Ford and the Boy Scout headquarters on Summerlin Road and Boyscout Drive. The deputy found that a felony warrant was out for her arrest.

Authorities say Nichols took off, prompting the Lee County Sheriff's Office deputy to fire a single round, which hit her in the elbow. A judge denied her attorney's motion to set bond.

The state objected, citing her long criminal history, including driving with a suspended license, petty theft, forged checks, and battery. In November 2025, 63-year-old Nichols was charged with aggravated battery, driving with a suspended license, and fleeing law enforcement after driving away during the traffic stop.

The deputy on scene fired a single round after the arrest report says Nichols hit his leg with her car. That round hit Nichols in the elbow.

"She's in a lot of pain. See that little mark around her eye; she fell. I mean, it's very difficult. Jail is not a fun place to be. You know, when you're walking around with one arm, it's very difficult for her. So she's anxious to get treated, and it's unfortunate," said Michael Raheb, Nichols' attorney.

Raheb says that, in addition to her injured arm and old age, she fell recently in jail, which is why he filed a motion for bond. The state countered with Nichols' history, saying bond is out of the question.

"Nichols qualifies as a habitual felony offender stemming from a petty theft adjudication in 2024, forged pay bills in 2019, as well as grand theft in 2019," a state attorney said.

Now Raheb is focused on preparing her for her next probation violation hearing. He questioned the relevance of her past record to the current situation.

"No one is perfect or imperfect, and that is just a factor they raised in terms of giving or not giving her a bond. Does that necessarily mean what you heard today is necessarily admissible at all times, having, you know, like a DUI 20, 30 years ago? I'm not sure that that has to do with, you know, getting shot and then going to the hospital, because it's an important safety tip," Raheb said. "You know, when you get shot, you should go to the hospital. You can watch the video. You're not supposed to shoot someone, no matter whether they're DUI or they're walking away from you."

WINK News has requested video from Nichols' attorney and the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Our team is currently waiting on a response.