Pedestrian struck by car charged in the accident
A pedestrian struck by an off-duty police officer last week was found at fault in the accident.
On Thursday, the Florida Highway Patrol cited John Richard Wrensch Jr., 52, a transient, for failing to yield the right-of-way to traffic when not crossing at a crosswalk, according to official reports.
At about 9 p.m., Cape Coral Officer Brice Bearman was headed east on Northeast Pine Island Road in an unmarked department Chevrolet Impala. In the 100 block, east of Santa Barbara Boulevard, Wrensch reportedly headed north on foot and tried to cross the eastbound lanes of Pine Island.
The FHP noted that Wrensch was not in a crosswalk, nor was he wearing identifiable clothing.
Cape police officials reported that there were no street lights or a crosswalk in the area, and that Wrensch was wearing a dark shirt, dark shorts and a dark hat at the time of the accident.
As Wrensch entered the inside eastbound lane, Bearman had to maneuver left and onto the median in order to avoid a collision. Bearman was unsuccessful and the side of the vehicle struck Wrensch.
Cape police noted that the passenger side rearview mirror also made contact.
Wrensch sustained serious injuries and was trauma-alerted to Lee Memorial Hospital.
As of Friday, he had been discharged from the hospital, according to officials.
Bearman, 44, of the Cape, was reportedly not injured in the accident.
Alcohol was a factor for Wrensch in the accident, according to the FHP report.
“As is normal in all officer-involved crashes, an administrative review will be conducted by the Cape Coral Police Department Professional Standards Bureau to determine if the vehicle was being operated according to Department policy,” the Cape Coral Police Department reported Thursday in a statement.
As of Tuesday, the administrative review was still underway by the CCPD.