(March 24, 2025) — On Friday, March 21, 2025, around 7:15 PM, a DUI officer with the Cape Coral Police Department responded to a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of Tropicana Pkwy W and El Dorado Pkwy N.
Before the officer’s arrival, the other vehicle’s driver called the department to report a traffic crash. He said the driver of the car that hit him had attempted to drive his vehicle away, was unable to do so, and fled on foot. The driver who fled was described as a white man wearing a blue shirt and black pants. The reporting party also said the man had urinated himself and appeared intoxicated.
When the officer arrived on scene, the other driver had already left. The reporting party said a white truck was following the suspect, and the suspect walked east across a nearby field. After crossing the field, the officer saw a white truck stopped in the roadway near the 2200-block of NW 8th Ter. A man matching the suspect’s description was standing next to the truck. He was wearing a blue shirt and black pants. The man, identified as Kelly Patrick Ward (DOB 03/27/1966), was taken into custody. The keys to his vehicle were in his front jeans pocket.
The reporting party identified Ward as the man whose vehicle rear-ended his. Ward’s vehicle had heavy front-end damage, and driver’s side airbags were deployed. Officers found open containers of Busch Light and PBR on the front passenger floorboards. Ward’s eyes were bloodshot. He had a strong odor of alcohol coming from his breath, had thick, slurred speech, and appeared unsteady on his feet.
Officers informed Ward that he was at fault for the traffic crash and that a DUI investigation had begun. Ward declined to participate in standard field sobriety exercises.
Based on the totality of circumstances, Ward was arrested for DUI. He refused to provide a breath sample.
The other vehicle had an estimated $15,000 in damages.
Kelly Patrick Ward (DOB 03/27/1966) was medically cleared and taken to the Lee County Jail on the following charges:
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.193(1)(a), DUI
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.193 (3)(c)(1), DUI Property Damage
–1 count in violation of F.S.S. 316.061(1), Hit and Run Involving Property Damage
Arrested: Kelly Patrick Ward (DOB 03/27/1966)