BREVARD COUNTY, FL – Early Monday morning, a 20-year-old woman was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Interstate 95, authorities said.
Cassi Taylor, identified by the Indian River County Sheriff's Office, was involved in the incident around midnight on Sunday. Reports indicate that the crash occurred after a Mercedes-Benz struck an alligator on the highway.
Taylor, who was driving a Toyota Tacoma behind the Mercedes, swerved to avoid the damaged vehicle, lost control, and overturned. She was ejected from her truck and struck by an unidentified vehicle that fled the scene. Authorities confirmed she was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
The driver of the Mercedes, a 58-year-old Canadian man, was uninjured and remained at the scene, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
An investigation is ongoing as authorities search for the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact FHP or Central Florida Crimeline.
The sheriff's office expressed condolences on social media, stating that Taylor had recently joined their agency and was scheduled to be sworn in. She was the daughter of Deputy Scott Burke.