Pine Island woman pushes for changes after 126 crashes on Stringfellow Road

PINE ISLAND, Fla. (WINK)—One road on Pine Island has seen more than 120 crashes in the last two years, and now some neighbors say they want changes.

Donna Coleman came to WINK Listens in Matlacha, concerned with accidents on Stringfellow Road, a 16-mile county highway that stretches from St. James City to Bokeelia.

The "old-Florida" charm of Pine Island is why Coleman first moved there, but lately, she says life is getting a little too fast.

"It's too dangerous. There's no reason. They need to slow down," Coleman said.

Coleman says she's seen people hit on bikes and people almost hit as they're walking or jogging.

"Oh, it's a huge safety issue. And we've had people get hit. We've had lots of accidents," Coleman said.

WINK Investigates pulled the numbers from the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Since the beginning of 2024, there have been 126 crashes on Stringfellow Road.

In December of last year, a 64-year-old man died in a head-on crash on Stringfellow Road in Pine Island. Florida Highway Patrol says the man, driving a white pickup truck, tried to pass a slower vehicle on Stringfellow Road and crashed head-on into a red SUV.

The 64-year-old was killed.

"I don't see the point in passing lanes on that end of the island at all. It should be double yellow line the whole way from the four-way all the way to the end," Coleman said.

WINK Investigates reached out to Lee County to find out if there are plans for increased safety measures on Stringfellow Road. A spokesperson says the county considers passing restrictions on two-lane roads when there are safety issues present or likely.

"Our traffic engineers constantly evaluate traffic data – including crash data. At this time, no changes to the road are planned," the spokesperson said.

For Coleman, she's hoping everyone will get on island time and slow down.

"It's such a short distance there's no need for passing there at all. You just need to slow down and be patient," Coleman said.

Deputies have pulled over more than 800 people on Stringfellow Road in the last two years.