DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. (CBS12) — On June 1, a fatal collision occurred at a toll booth, involving a suspected drunk driver, resulting in one death.
Authorities reported that 63-year-old Tammy Jo “Tiny Joe” Baker, a toll booth worker, was struck shortly after entering her booth. Investigators noted that the driver, 35-year-old Deanna Harrell, had been driving erratically before the incident, nearly colliding with multiple vehicles along Peninsula Drive.
According to the Volusia Sheriff's Office, 911 calls alerted deputies to Harrell's erratic driving shortly before 12:38 p.m. Sheriff Mike Chitwood confirmed that Baker was pronounced dead just minutes after the crash occurred, with emergency services arriving at 12:39 p.m.
Body camera footage released by deputies shows first responders attending to Baker immediately after the incident. Harrell was found on the beach with her vehicle stuck in the sand, displaying signs of intoxication, including a strong odor of alcohol.
Following the crash, Harrell was taken into custody and placed under the Baker Act for making self-harm threats. She now faces charges of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter.
Chitwood emphasized the ongoing investigation, stating, “If that investigation takes 12 hours or a year, we're going to bring justice.” Meanwhile, Baker's family mourns the loss of a cherished matriarch, urging the community to prioritize safety on local roadways.