Brevard County, FL — A 20-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate-95 early Monday morning.
Cassi Taylor, identified by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, was involved in the incident shortly before midnight while driving a Toyota Tacoma. Authorities reported that the crash began when a Mercedes-Benz struck an alligator in the roadway.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Taylor swerved to avoid the Mercedes, lost control, and overturned. She was ejected from the vehicle and subsequently struck by an unknown vehicle that fled the scene.
FHP noted that Taylor was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old Canadian man, was not injured and remained at the scene.
The sheriff's office expressed condolences for Taylor's family and acknowledged her recent appointment as a Civilian Corrections Assistant with plans for her official swearing-in on the day of her death.
An investigation is ongoing, and authorities are seeking information regarding the driver who left the scene. Anyone with details is urged to contact FHP or Central Florida Crimeline.