Deputy Killed By Suspected Drunk Driver In Charlotte County: Sheriff

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL — A 23-year-old Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputy was hit and killed by a suspected drunk driver Tuesday night, authorities said.

Cassandra Smith, 30, of Massachusetts lost control of her Jeep around 8:45 p.m. and veered across three lanes of I-75 north, just south of U.S. 17. She drove into the shoulder, hitting the deputy, who was standing outside his SUV for a traffic stop, officials said.

She called 911 after the crash and was taken into custody by the Florida Highway Patrol, the sheriff’s office shared in a Facebook post. She was charged with DUI manslaughter.

Good Samaritans and first responders performed life-saving techniques on Deputy Christopher Taylor of Punta Gorda at the scene of the crash, according to CCSO. He was trauma alerted to Punta Gorda ShorePoint Health, where he died from his injuries.

"In his little less than a year of service to Charlotte County, Chris exemplified the core values of the CCSO: integrity, professionalism and trust,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said. “Chris just celebrated his 23rd birthday on Saturday. Losing a deputy is unspeakably difficult for the agency, but the passing of such a promising and kind young man is a tremendous loss for the world.”

The driver of the vehicle Taylor had pulled over for a traffic stop, a 29-year-old Haines City man, was also hit by Smith while standing outside his car and suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to an FHP news release.

His passenger, a 28-year-old man from an unknown Florida city, was uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation, the agency said.