ALVA, Fla. – An Alva couple was identified to be the two people that were killed in a crash on Palm Beach Boulevard on Tuesday.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) was called to the intersection of Palm Beach Boulevard (SR 80) and River Hall Parkway Tuesday around 2:30 p.m.
A dump truck heading westbound on Palm Beach Boulevard ran a red light and slammed into a Lincoln SUV. Inside the vehicle was a husband and wife; Robert Spiker, 68, and Nancy Spiker, 71. Both were killed in the crash.
“I was on my way home from the doctors and my wife called and told me that there was an accident at our light,” said Joe Spiker, the son of the couple.
After that phone call, Spiker didn’t know his dad and step-mom were involved. It’s not until he got another call from his wife; this time telling him police officers were at his front door.
“I just kept trying to call him,” he said. “When I turned in the community, I saw his car. It was pretty much in half.”
When Spiker got home, officers told him what he feared most: both Nancy and Robert were dead.
“At first, I was just in a state of shock,” Spiker said.
The couple was retired. Joe and his family moved to Southwest Florida exactly one year to the day of the accident.
They were as close as a family as could be, living just one block away. But that didn’t keep them separated from one another, especially when it came to Monday morning breakfast.
“It’d always turn into laughs, jokes and a Bible study, always,” Spiker said.
In just that year that Spiker’s been living in the River Hall community, he’s noticed how dangerous the intersectoin is. He hopes that out of this terrible tragedy, something good will come.
“For their memory, and for them, I would really hope something’s done about the light,” he said.
Whether it’s making the delay between the red and green lights longer or adding flashing warning sings.
This is something the River Hall Community Development District has been fighting for since 2017.
“Please just lower the speed limit to and from that intersection,” said Paul Asfour, who’s led the fight for the community.
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is bumping up patrols in the area. Florida Highway Patrol also says they focus on Palm Beach Boulevard, too.
“I know a ticket’s not going to save the world, but I know it will definitely make you think twice when you got to pay that fine,” Spiker said.
The driver of the dump truck was fined for running the red light. A fellow truck driver himself, Joe said they need to take responsibility, but not bear the weight on this wreck for the rest of their life.
“I’m angry, but I forgive you,” he said.
The post Couple killed after dump truck runs red light in Lee County appeared first on NBC2 News.
