Crime & Public Safety
Vehicle Strikes Fort Myers Beach Bar; Lee County Deputies Make DUI-Related Arrest
A Jeep crashed into The Whale bar and grill on Fort Myers Beach just before midnight Tuesday, leaving visible structural damage to the building and prompting a law-enforcement response. Lee County deputies arrested one man at the scene, and crews spent much of Wednesday afternoon repairing a damaged set of stairs at the business.
According to the agency, deputies took Blaine Moriarty into custody and he is facing charges of driving under the influence and refusing a DUI test. The crash reportedly narrowly missed a gas line, which was a noted hazard as crews assessed and began repairs the following day.
Witnesses and customers at the restaurant expressed shock and disappointment after the incident. A Fort Myers Beach resident said, “I guess they thought maybe there was going to be some free parking there,” while patrons described The Whale as a favorite local spot and expressed hope for its recovery after the damage.
The actions described — the vehicle collision, the arrest, the pending charges, and the visible property damage with repairs underway — are based on the account and statements provided by Lee County deputies and on-scene observations. The arrested person is facing the cited charges; the case status beyond arrest and pending charges was not documented in the provided information.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
More Lee County news · Request a correction or case update
All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.