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Cape teen injured in crash released from the hospital

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A Cape Coral teen has been released from the hospital following a fatal traffic crash last month.

As of Thursday, Asia Tannasse, 17, of 11732 S.W. 22nd Terrace, had been discharged from Lee Memorial Hospital, where she was taken after the Nov. 17 accident on Fort Myers Beach.

At about 3:58 a.m., a Hyundai Santa Fe was traveling northbound on Estero Boulevard in the 6000 block when the driver, James Lepore, 23, of 3517 Santa Barbara Blvd., was unable to turn left through a curve. The vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office reported.

The Hyundai exited the road and hit a road sign, before sideswiping a concrete wall and crashing head on into a concrete wall. The momentum carried the vehicle through the wall, where it struck a tree.

Officials reported that the Hyundai rotated upon hitting the tree and came to a final rest.

Lepore and two passengers, Tannasse and Francis Gannon, 15, of 910 S.E. 43rd Terrace, were trapped inside the Hyundai, which had burst into flames after crashing into the concrete wall.

A third passenger, Brooke Bosley, 16, of 1411 S.E. 17th Terrace, was pulled free by a witness.

Life-saving efforts began immediately, but the impact of the crash made it difficult to extricate the occupants trapped in the Hyundai. One person was trapped for an hour, according to officials.

One person was transported to the hospital, and the other three were flown via Medflight.

Officials reported that Lepore and Gannon were subsequently airlifted to Tampa General Hospital.

On Nov. 20, Lepore succumbed to his injuries from the accident and died.

Officials at Tampa General Hospital reported that Gannon was not listed as a patient.

Gannon’s condition was unknown as of Thursday.

Bosley was treated and later released from Lee Memorial Hospital.

In addition to excessive speed, alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, according to officials.

The investigation continues.