CAPE CORAL, FL (October 20, 2025) — Authorities have identified the three people killed in a multi-vehicle crash Monday night on Burnt Store Road North near Janis Road. The Cape Coral Police Department said the collision involved two trucks and an SUV and left three people dead at the scene.
Accident Details: Around 8:25 p.m., a truck traveling south on Burnt Store Road drifted across the center line and into the northbound lane, according to police. The truck clipped the rear tire of a northbound truck pulling a trailer, causing both vehicles to lose control.
Moments later, the southbound truck collided with an SUV traveling behind the northbound truck, forcing the SUV to roll off the roadway.
Emergency crews found both vehicles heavily damaged. The southbound truck stopped in the middle of the road, and the SUV came to rest in a nearby embankment. The driver of the southbound truck, Laura Lee Beasley, 48, and both occupants of the SUV, Gary Lee Galiher, 77, and Norma Jean Ralston, 79, were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the northbound truck suffered minor injuries.
Investigators said speed does not appear to have been a factor in the crash. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as first responders worked to free trapped victims and clear debris from the two-lane highway. Traffic was diverted for several hours during the investigation.
Investigation: The Cape Coral Police Department continues to investigate the sequence of events leading up to the collision. Early findings suggest that the southbound truck’s driver may have veered into the opposite lane for unknown reasons, striking the northbound vehicle before hitting the SUV.
Burnt Store Road has been the site of several serious crashes in recent years, raising ongoing concerns about safety on the narrow two-lane stretch. City and county officials have announced long-term plans to widen the road to four lanes by 2035, but residents continue to call for temporary safety barriers in the meantime.
Police are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has information to contact the Cape Coral Police Department at 239-574-3223, referencing Case No. 25-019448.
Legal Considerations: Truck crashes on undivided highways can bring devastating outcomes, particularly when multiple vehicles are involved. Families of those killed in such collisions often face immediate loss alongside expenses for funeral arrangements, medical care, and emotional recovery. Florida law allows relatives to pursue wrongful death claims when evidence shows that a driver’s negligence or inattention led to a fatal outcome.
Investigators’ findings will help clarify whether factors like fatigue, vehicle drift, or unsafe roadway conditions played a role. Those conclusions can help families understand how this tragedy occurred and what accountability may follow as the case develops.
We extend heartfelt condolences to the families of Laura Lee Beasley, Gary Lee Galiher, and Norma Jean Ralston and to all those affected by this devastating crash.
Source: Gulf Coast News Now