Motorcyclist hurt in crash released from hospital
A Cape Coral man has been released from the hospital after an SUV recently hit his motorcycle.
As of Tuesday, Aaron William Pfuhl, 43, of 1310 S.E. 23rd Ave., was released from Lee Memorial Hospital, where he was taken Feb. 7 following the crash on Del Prado Boulevard South, officials said.
According to the Cape police, Pfuhl was northbound on Del Prado on a 2013 Harley Davidson and stopped in the left turn lane at the intersection of Hancock Bridge Parkway. Next to him, in the same lane, was a 2007 Harley Davidson operated by Benjamin Lewis Hale, 45, of 2210 N.E. 14th Terrace.
At about 8:38 p.m., a Ford Explorer SUV traveling northbound on Del Prado in the inside lane reportedly failed to maintain its lane and entered into the left turn lane. The SUV, being driven by Joseph J. Scafuri Sr., 60, of 232 S.E. Van Loon Terrace, hit the right side of Pfuhl’s motorcycle.
The impact propelled the motorcycle into Hale’s motorcycle, police reported.
After the collision, the SUV traveled north through the intersection and struck the raised cement median and a traffic sign. It continued to travel northbound through the median for a short distance before entering back into the inside lane of northbound Del Prado. The SUV came to a final rest.
Pfuhl sustained life-threatening injuries and was trauma-alerted to the hospital.
According to police, Hale reported no injuries at the time of the accident. Scafuri sustained minor injuries as a result of the crash, but he refused any medical treatment while on scene.
During the investigation, Scafuri reportedly showed signs of impairment.
He was booked on one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol, one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol serious bodily injury to another and three counts of DUI unlawful blood alcohol damage property.
Scafuri has since been released from jail on on $27,000 bond.
He has a court appearance scheduled for March 9.
A police report states that drug use was suspected and a urine test was administered to Scafuri; the results were pending as of Tuesday. The report also indicates that Pfuhl had a BAC of .018.