A southwest Florida community is grieving the loss of a familiar, friendly face after a longtime grocery store cashier died when her vehicle crashed into a canal.
On Monday, Dec. 15, at about 8 p.m. local time, 72-year-old Diane Boone was killed after her SUV went into a canal in the George Town neighborhood of Fort Myers and came to rest upside down, ABC affiliate WZVN and CBS affiliate WINK reported.
Officials have not yet determined what caused the crash, but authorities told WZVN they do not believe it was triggered by a medical episode.
Family members told the outlet they think Boone may have gotten turned around while driving home. One local resident said he saw the vehicle drift slightly left and right along the road, as if the driver wasn’t sure where she was headed. Neighbors also told the outlet they suspect Boone may not have been able to see the water in the dark.
Following the crash, friends and loved ones shared memories of Boone, who worked at a nearby Winn-Dixie and was known for her warmth and kindness.
“She was always smiling. If you ever needed someone to talk to, she was there,” coworker Emily Rosario told WZVN. “It’s really heartbreaking. Everyone was sad when they heard about it because everyone was really friends with her.”
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WINK reported that Boone often headed to bingo after finishing her shift. Paul McMurrain, the manager of Uptown Bingo, told the outlet the news was difficult to process.
“It catches you out of the blue, and you don’t know how to react or what to think about it,” he said. He added that Boone would frequently arrive straight from work, still in her uniform, and was always cheerful with everyone there. “She was great. She was friendly. Always had a smile on her face.”
An investigation remains ongoing.
