Cape Coral man charged with DUI after crash
A Cape Coral man has been charged in a crash that sent several people to the hospital on Monday.
Gentree Jamal Hough, 24, of 601 S.E. 13th St., was arrested and charged with one count of DUI unlawful blood alcohol and seven counts of DUI unlawful blood alcohol damage property, according to the booking records at the Lee County Jail. As of Tuesday, he remained in custody without bond.
Police reported that Hough was driving a Nissan Juke north on Academy Boulevard when he entered the left turn lane at Nicholas Parkway and came to a red light. At 9:44 p.m., the light changed green and he tried to turn, entering the path of a Kia Soul headed south on Cultural Park Boulevard.
Witnesses told police that the light was solid green, and that Hough did not have a turn arrow.
The front of the Nissan collided into the front of the Kia, according to police. The Nissan came to a final stop in the center of the roadway, while the Kia was redirected to the southwest corner of the intersection. It drove off the road and struck a pedestrian crossing light pole before coming to a rest.
Officials reported that Hough sustained minor injuries but refused medical attention.
His front seat passenger, Trevor C. Wright, 27, of the Cape, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to Lee Memorial Hospital. As of Tuesday, he was listed in good condition at the facility.
The driver of the Kia, Joseph F. Cowan, 55, also of Cape Coral, sustained minor injuries, along with two of his passengers. They were taken to a local hospital, but their conditions were unknown Tuesday.
A second passenger in Hough’s vehicle, Douglas S. Spruill, 25, of the Cape, also sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. On Tuesday, his condition was also unknown.
According to police, an on-scene investigation determined that Hough was impaired at the time of the crash. He agreed to a voluntary breath test, which showed he had a blood alcohol content of 0.116.
Hough was taken into custody and booked at the Lee County Jail.