(March 22, 2024)– Officers were investigating a major traffic crash near the 400 block of Nicholas Parkway. The traffic crash unfortunately resulted in the fatality of the driver.
DATE: March 21st, 2024
TIME: 8:54 pm
LOCATION: 404 Nicholas Parkway W
CR#: 24-006611
VEHICLE 1: 2016 red Subaru WRX, Florida Tag
VEHICLE 1 DRIVER: Zaldeen T. Saleem, W/M, 04/18/2005
VEHICLE 1 DRIVER INJURIES: Saleem suffered fatal injuries due to this traffic crash.
VEHICLE 1 PASSENGER INJURIES: The passenger suffered non-life-threatening injuries due to this crash.
VEHICLE 2: 2015 white Lexus RC350, Florida Tag
VEHICLE 2 DRIVER INJURIES: The driver of vehicle 2 did not suffer any injury as a result of this crash.
VEHICLE 3: 2006 beige Toyota RAV4, Florida Tag
VEHICLE 3 DRIVER INJURIES: The driver of vehicle 3 did not suffer any injury as a result of this crash.
VEHICLE 4: 2022 blue KIA Forte, Florida Tag
VEHICLE 4: PARKED/UNOCCUPIED
SYNOPSIS:
Vehicle 1 was traveling west at a high rate of speed on Nicholas Parkway E in the inside straight lane approaching the curve that shifts westbound traffic to a northwest direction at the 500 block of Nicholas Pkwy E.
Vehicle 2 was traveling east on Nicholas Parkway E in the outside straight lane approaching the 400 block of Nicholas Parkway E.
Vehicle 3 was traveling west in the inside straight lane on Nicholas Parkway E.
Vehicle 4 was unoccupied and parked in the driveway, under a carport, in the upper left side of the paved driveway at 404 Nicholas Parkway E.
As Vehicle 1 continued west on Nicholas Parkway, the Driver of Vehicle 1 was not able to negotiate the curve, causing Vehicle 1 to climb over and across the raised grassy median that separates the eastbound and westbound traffic on Nicholas Pkwy. Upon Vehicle 1 crossing over onto the eastbound lanes while moving diagonal from the median toward the eastbound shoulder in the 400 block of Nicholas Parkway, Vehicle 1 struck a metal signpost installed upon the median, carrying in along its path. Vehicle 1 then struck the front right corner of Vehicle 2 with the right side of Vehicle 1.
After striking and passing the front right of Vehicle 2, Vehicle 1 continued over the sidewalk on the eastbound shoulder striking a cement utility pole with the front and front left of Vehicle 1 snapping the cement pole near the base. As a result of the impact with the cement pole, the utility cable from this pole that crosses Nicholas Parkway to connect on the westbound shoulder utility pole was caused to lower from its standard height to a lower level across the westbound travel lanes.
Due to the lowered utility line spanning Nicholas Parkway from the pole just damaged by Vehicle 1, Vehicle 3’s engine hood snagged the utility line as Vehicle 3 was traveling west causing the hood to be sliced open with the upper painted metal surface split from the lower half that serves as a lid for the engine compartment. Driver Vehicle 3 stopped the vehicle in the inside westbound straight lane on Nicholas Parkway at SE 4th Avenue.
As a result of V1 striking the cement utility pole with the front left of Vehicle 1, it’s front left tire/wheel was sheered off from the vehicle where it continue d straight through the front lawn of 404 Nicholas Parkway E and into the left rear corner of Vehicle 4.
Driver Vehicle 1 was declared deceased by Cape Coral Fire Rescue on scene as a result of this crash; however, the Passenger of Vehicle 1, who was located in the front right seat sustained non-life threatening injuries as a result of this crash.
Upon receiving initial aid on scene, Vehicle 1 Passenger was transported to a hospital and is in stable condition at this time.
LCEC Crews assisted with the crash investigation and restoring power to the residents nearby.
This traffic crash IS NOT alcohol/drug related. Speed IS a factor in this crash. Next of kin HAS been notified.
If you witnessed this traffic crash or have information about this traffic crash, please contact the Cape Coral Police Department by calling 239-574-3223 or submitting a tip to CCPDtips@capecoral.gov . Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Please use Case Report # 24-006611.
***There are 5 traffic fatalities and 9 MCI usages in our city in 2024. (DOES NOT INCLUDE 0 fatality ruled “medical” (i.e. cause of death not related to traffic crash)
2024= 5 Traffic fatalities, 1 DUI related (9 MCI usages)
2023= 20 Traffic fatalities, 4 DUI related (53 MCI usages)
2022= 12 Traffic fatalities, 3 DUI related (39 MCI usages)
2021= 12 Traffic fatalities, 5 DUI related (44 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 3 medical ruled death)
2020= 19 Traffic fatalities, 7 DUI related (54 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 1 medical ruled death)
2019= 16 Traffic fatalities, 8 DUI related (39 MCI usages)(DOES NOT INCLUDE 2 medical ruled deaths)
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