Fort Myers man charged with DUI manslaughter in pedestrian’s death
A Fort Myers man has been charged with DUI manslaughter after law enforcement officials said he struck a pedestrian walking her dog in Cape Coral.
Rodrigo Coutinho Pereira, 27, has also been charged with DUI, DUI property damage, and driving with a suspended license causing death or serious injury.
According to Cape Coral Police Department officials, officers responded to a crash involving a vehicle and a woman at Tower Drive and Santa Rosa Court just before 9 p.m. Sunday.
Police officials stated that the responding officers found an individual who did not appear to be breathing, but had a faint pulse.
“The pedestrian required immediate medical treatment and was transported to Gulf Coast Hospital as a Trauma Alert,” CCPD officials stated in a release. “The pedestrian was pronounced deceased upon arrival at 9:26 p.m.”
Traffic homicide investigators were called to the site and determined that Pereira was traveling on Tower Drive approaching Santa Rose Court and struck a pedestrian who was walking her dog west on Tower Drive in the eastbound lane, police said.
“The vehicle involved, a white Dodge work van, was still on scene,” CCPD’s release states. “A THI observed an open Bud Light aluminum bottle in the center cup holder through the open driver’s door.
“A witness with the victim at the time said they were walking with a flashlight. That witness identified the vehicle that struck the victim and pointed out the driver. The witness said she could smell alcohol on the driver’s breath.”
Police officials said the traffic homicide investigators could smell alcohol on Pereira’s breath and noticed he had slurred speech.
“Officers then informed Pereira that they were changing hats from a crash investigation to a DUI investigation,” the CCPD release stated. “Pereira agreed to participate in Standard Field Sobriety Evaluations. Based on the investigation, Pereira was placed under arrest for DUI at 10:54 p.m. Pereira refused to provide a breath sample.”
Police officials also added that the investigation determined Pereira’s license was suspended for DUI effective May 4, 2025, therefore, he was not authorized to operate a vehicle. Police state Pereira caused an estimated $1,500 in damage to the van he was in, which he does not own.
As of Monday afternoon, Pereira was still in custody at Lee County Jail. His bond has not been set.
CCPD officials stated that this is the 14th traffic fatality in 2025, with three being DUI-related.