A Florida sheriff's deputy trainee was killed in a multi-vehicle collision on August 30, hours before she was scheduled to be sworn into her position. Cassi Taylor, 20, died when the vehicle in front of her crashed into an alligator on a highway in Titusville, leading to a chain reaction.
Taylor was traveling southbound when the driver of a Mercedes-Benz E-350 ahead of her struck and killed an alligator on the roadway. To avoid colliding with the Mercedes, Taylor swerved her Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. She lost control of her vehicle, which overturned. Investigators stated that Taylor was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the driver's seat into the middle lane of the highway.
A third vehicle then struck Taylor, and the driver fled the scene without stopping. The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old Canadian man, remained at the scene and was uninjured. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene.
Taylor was set to be sworn in as a correctional officer with the Indian River County Sheriff's Office the following morning. Her stepfather, Scott Burke, is also a deputy with the same office. The sheriff's office expressed their sorrow over the loss of one of their newest team members.
A GoFundMe fundraiser organized by family friend Dana Hamlin to cover funeral and cremation expenses surpassed its $7,500 goal, raising $14,785. The funds will be divided between Taylor's parents, who plan to hold separate services in Hamilton and Brevard counties.
A 'Celebration of Life' event is also scheduled for next month.
Collisions with alligators are uncommon but are more likely between July and September during their mating season. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking information to locate the driver of the third vehicle involved in the hit-and-run. Authorities are asking anyone with details to contact *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.