The Florida Highway Patrol says alcohol was a factor in a fatal, single-vehicle car crash and fire in Punta Gorda. It happened Sunday around 7:40 PM on US 17 near the intersection of Taralane Drive. A northbound Infiniti G37 entered the center median and the driver over-corrected to the right. The car went out of control across the northbound lanes of US 17 and jumped the curve onto the shoulder. The driver over-corrected again, this time to the left. The right rear of the Infiniti hit a wooden utility pole, rotated clockwise and caught on fire with the driver still inside. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The Medical Examiner’s Office is determining the driver’s identity.
