The incident occurred near mile marker 214 on Florida’s Interstate 95 on Sunday, Aug. 30
Credit: Indian River County Sheriff’s Office
NEED TO KNOW
- A 20-year-old woman died after being thrown from her vehicle in a chain-reaction crash triggered by an alligator on the highway
- After a 2010 Mercedes-Benz struck the animal, the woman swerved to avoid hitting the vehicle before losing control and overturning
- A third vehicle then struck the woman before fleeing the scene
A Florida woman died in a chain-reaction crash that began when another motorist struck an alligator on the highway.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, the Florida Highway Patrol confirmed that a 20-year-old woman was hit and killed after being thrown from her vehicle near mile marker 214 on Florida’s Interstate 95 around 11:52 p.m. local time, according to local station WPLG, CBS affiliate WPEC and Florida Today.
A Mercedes-Benz was traveling south on I-95 when the 58-year-old driver saw an alligator in the roadway, but was unable to avoid hitting it, according to a crash report obtained by WPEC.
As a result of the collision, the 20-year-old driver of a Toyota Tacoma swerved to avoid hitting the Mercedes-Benz, the outlet reported. After losing control of the vehicle, it overturned, and the 20-year-old was ejected.
A third vehicle then struck the driver of the Toyota Tacoma before fleeing the scene.
Following the tragic chain reaction, the woman was declared dead at the scene, reported WPEC. The crash report stated that she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
She has since been identified as Cassi Taylor, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. She worked as a Civilian Corrections Assistant for a little over a month and was scheduled to be officially sworn in Monday, Aug. 31. She was also the daughter of Deputy Scott Burke.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers are continuing to search for the hit-and-run driver, according to Florida Today.
The driver of the Mercedes-Benz remained at the scene until authorities arrived. Officials stated that the crash remains under investigation.
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The Florida Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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