Cape Coral hit-and-run caught on camera damages mailboxes, neighbors demand action

A truck crash on Southwest 25th Avenue and Southwest 28th Terrace in Cape Coral damaged three mailboxes and a tree before the driver fled the scene, leaving debris scattered across the area. John Rupert, a Cape Coral homeowner whose mailbox was damaged, said, "He lost control coming around this curve." Rupert showed the damage in front of his home, saying, "This was my neighbor's mailbox right here. It wound up within a foot of that bush up there." Pieces of mailboxes and a shattered taillight were left behind, but Rupert and his neighbors said the driver did not stop. "It's hit and run. He did not stop. He didn't do anything. He just left," Rupert said. The crash occurred just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 2. Neighbors say they reported the incident to the Cape Coral Police Department. While the damaged mailboxes have mostly been replaced, neighbors remain concerned about safety in the area. "There’s a school bus dropping off children ten minutes after this happens, and they could have been hurt. They could have been killed. It's just terrible," said Dawn Fiala, another Cape Coral resident. Fiala said she often sees speeding in the area and noted that the caution sign and double yellow road markers installed by the city have not made much of a difference. "If not speed bumps, I would like a stop sign. Maybe at the corner. So that people have to stop," she said. Rupert also shared concerns about pedestrian safety, saying, "There are times that I've had to push my wife over and the dogs over because somebody does not give us the right of way as a walker." The Cape Coral Police Department and city officials have not yet provided information on the report or any plans to improve road safety. Neighbors are asking anyone who recognizes the truck involved in the crash to report it to the Cape Coral Police Department. Count on us to keep you updated on the latest information to find the driver. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV