Lyft driver suffers fatal medical episode while driving passenger on I-75 in Lee County

A passenger in a Lyft vehicle was forced to steer the car to the shoulder of Interstate 75 and perform CPR on the driver after the man suffered a fatal medical episode Monday.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the incident happened on the southbound side of the interstate at Mile Marker 120, between Corkscrew Road and Bonita Beach Road.

Troopers said the Lyft driver, a 66-year-old North Fort Myers man, was driving a 2019 Volkswagen and transporting a passenger when the driver suffered a medical episode.

The passenger gained control of the Volkswagen by steering the vehicle onto the paved shoulder and then activated the emergency brake, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop.

Troopers also said the passenger called 911 and rendered CPR on scene.

The driver was taken to an area hospital by Emergency Medical Services, where he died.