Man Killed When Police SUV Hits Car

Posted on Thursday, October 1st, 2009

One man was killed and a police officer injured in athree-vehicle automobile accident in Fort Meyers, Florida on Thursday.According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, 61 year-old Mateo F. Matias Mateowas killed when his car was struck by an on-duty patrol SUV. Mateo was making aU-turn in his silver 2000 Honda Civic on westbound Palm Beach Boulevard when hewas hit by a 2007 Ford Explorer SUV patrol car. Mateo’s car then hit a black2003 Ford F-150 pickup truck. Detective Timothy Galloway, 37, the driver of theSUV, was on a high-speed chase to catch some burglars.

Mateo was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident byFlorida Highway Patrol. Galloway was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital, by LeeCounty area emergency medical services, with minor injuries. The driver of thepickup truck was reportedly uninjured. Officials say Galloway had his sirens and police lights on at the timeof the crash, but some witnesses say his lights were activated but his sirens werenot. FHP will continue to investigate.

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident,please contact the Orlando Personal Injury Lawyer, Todd Miner at 407-420-4040.