NAPLES — A 56-year-old Fort Myers woman died early today after she lost control of her sport utility vehicle on a curve on San Marco Road and hit a utility pole on U.S. 41.

Debbie Ann Smythe of Woodford Avenue was pronounced dead after the 12:47 a.m. crash on U.S. 41, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred east of the intersection of San Marco Road, near the Iron Rhino Saloon, which is just north of Collier Seminole State Park.

Records show she's the owner of Uptown Hair Designers Inc. at 1643 Woodford Ave., a business she's operated since 1997.

A passenger in her car, Larry M. Venable, 58, of Baton Rouge, La., suffered serious injuries and was taken to Lee Memorial Hospital. Hospital officials would not release his condition.

Smythe's 2010 Kia Soul was totaled. Reports give the following account:

The crash occurred as Smythe drove north on San Marco Road (County Road 92) and failed to negotiate a curve just south of the intersection. Her SUV traveled northeast, entering the unpaved east shoulder, and struck a utility pole.

That impact caused the SUV to travel northeast across U.S. 41 (State Road 90), spin counterclockwise, and come to rest facing northeast on the westbound lane of U.S. 41, just east of the intersection.

Troopers closed the intersection for several hours as they investigated and cleaned up the crash scene.