A Florida woman, Deanna Harrell, 52, has been detained after allegedly driving into a toll booth in Daytona Beach Shores, fatally striking the attendant, before continuing onto the beach and into the ocean.
Victim Details
The victim, Tammy Jo Baker, was just weeks shy of her 63rd birthday. She died from injuries sustained when Harrell’s truck struck the toll booth on Monday, June 1.
Sequence of Events
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, Harrell’s truck hit the toll booth and then drove across the sand into the ocean, coming to a stop after becoming stuck. Witnesses reported that the driver appeared to try to flee the scene before getting stuck.
Footage from the beach shows the truck moving across the sand and into the water, with the vehicle’s front badly damaged. Authorities have closed the affected beach ramp until further notice while the investigation continues.
Investigation and Detention
Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported a strong odor of alcohol inside the vehicle. Harrell is being tested for impairment, including a blood draw and breathalyzer. She has been taken into custody under Florida’s Baker Act, allowing for up to 72 hours of mental health evaluation.
