Alexa Velez
•6/23/2026
A Golden Gate family is calling for safety improvements after a 19-year-old driver was accused of crashing into multiple vehicles outside their home early Tuesday morning.
According to the Collier County Sheriff's Office, Marlon Sotolongo, 19, was arrested after deputies say he lost control of his vehicle near the curve at 44th Street Southwest and 32nd Avenue Southwest around 1:40 a.m.
Neighbors say the driver first struck a mailbox before crashing into three vehicles parked in a driveway. They say the impact was so strong that the mailbox was thrown across the property, damaging two additional vehicles.
Nicole Sullivan said she was watching television when she heard the crash.
"I sat sort of on the bed, and I said, 'Oh, somebody just hit our cars'," Sullivan said.
Her husband, Ray Sullivan, said this is not the first time a driver has failed to see the curve.
"We've lived in this house since 1999, and between our house and the neighbor's house, this is at least the sixth time that this has happened to us," Sullivan said.
The couple says they have long been concerned about speeding drivers and have asked for traffic calming measures, including speed bumps, barriers and additional warning signs.
"We suggested speed bumps, and they put it back on us and said the only way that's happening is if we walk all the way up and down 44th Street and get the prerequisite number of signatures to do this," Sullivan said.
According to the sheriff's office arrest report, deputies observed Sotolongo appearing disoriented with bloodshot eyes following the crash. The report states he blew a 0.000 on a breath test but refused to provide a urine sample and declined an evaluation by a Drug Recognition Expert.
He was arrested on charges including DUI with property damage and refusal to submit DUI testing.
The Sullivans say their concerns extend beyond property damage.
Nicole Sullivan noted that the roadway is heavily used by students walking to and from nearby schools, including Golden Gate High School, Golden Terrace Elementary School and the area's middle school.
Their neighbor, Kerry Krueger, says she experienced a similar crash in February 2025 when a driver lost control and crashed into her property, totaling two vehicles.
"Someone's going to get killed one day," Krueger said. "It's an ongoing problem that needs to be addressed somehow by slowing people down on this road."
Collier County officials, however, say records show only one previous reported crash at the location over the past decade — a February 2025 crash involving a driver who was also suspected of alcohol use.
Officials say there are currently no roadway improvements planned or under consideration. According to the county, the road already has a 25 mph speed limit, curve warning signs with advisory speed plaques, double-yellow centerline markings, and chevron signs along the curve.
County staff said no additional traffic control measures are necessary to meet federal roadway standards.
"If these cars were not positioned where they are, that guy's car would be in my garage or in my house," said Ray Sullivan. "So I need somebody to listen and pay attention to the danger that exists here."
