Austin Dukette, 15, killed in Bicycle accident with the Lee County patrol car of Douglas E. Hood, on Kismet Parkway and Northwest Seventh Avenue in Cape Coral, FL

Modified Date: 
Wed, 04/08/2015 - 4:13pm
Accident Date: 
Friday, August 22, 2014

Lee County deputy cited for fatal crash

Investigation found computer in the car was a factor in the crash

Cape Coral teen struck by sheriff's deputy dies

According to the Cape Coral Police Department, Austin Dukette died from injuries sustained when Lee Deputy Douglas E. Hood struck the rear tire of the teen's bike Friday morning.

UPDATE- Cape Coral Police Traffic Homicide Investigators Conclude Investigation Into Fatal Bicycle Crash

Cape Coral Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigators have concluded an almost 2-month long investigation into an early-morning crash that involved a young bicyclist and a Lee County Sheriff’s Office Deputy driving a marked patrol car.

Report released on deputy-involved crash that killed Cape teen

Another interesting detail to come out of the report was Dukette was using bike lights during the time of the crash.

 Lee County deputy was found at fault in an accident that killed Austin Dukette, 15.  Deputy Douglas E. Hood was cited for careless driving following a two-month investigation.  Austin was riding his bike to school on August 22nd and Hood hit the back tire of the boy's bike, from behind, with his patrol car on Kismet Parkway and Northwest Seventh Avenue, in Cape Coral, FL. Investigations revealed that the computer in the patrol car was a factor in the accident, the environmental factor that it was dark at 6 a.m., the bicycle was not adequately lit (although he was using bike lights), and the child wore dark clothing.  Dukette was not wearing a helmet. 

 

 

People Involved: 
Austin Dukette
Douglas E. Hood

Comments

I'm outraged!! After a two months investigation Deputy Hood only gets cited for careless driving! I think officer N. Green should be cited for careless investigation! Deputy hood should have his badge taken away indefinitely and be charged with vehicular manslaughter! If it was your average citizen it would be open and shut case and behind bars they would go. Why isn't anyone outraged? Oh I get it the victim was white, because if he was black oh excuse me african american people would have taken to the streets. They let deputy hood carry a gun he hasn't even mastered the automobile. deputy hood keep your eyes on road hands at ten and two. Its called distracted driving and it does kill but hey your a cop and above the law so whats a young mans life here and there, your cop buddies will get you out of trouble just wipe the young teens blood off the cruiser and proceed to your next poor unexpected victim.

Looking at the crash photos the bike was in the middle of the street near the center line, why he was out in traffic I'm not sure - was he crossing the street or trying to make a left turn? I wonder if not wearing a helmet made this a deadly accident?

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