Deanna Harrell: Woman accused of hitting toll booth, killing woman inside, arrested
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. - A Florida woman suspected of driving her truck into a Daytona Beach Shores toll booth, killing the woman who was working inside, has been taken into custody, the Volusia Sheriff's Office said Wednesday morning.
Deanna Harrell, of Ormond Beach, was arrested under suspicion of vehicular homicide and DUI manslaughter in the death of 63-year-old Tammie Jo Baker, VSO said in an update on its Facebook page. A shared photo showed Harrell in handcuffs, flanked by two deputies.
Harrell had been detained since the crash and held under Florida's Baker Act due to statements she made about her mental health. Late Tuesday, she was released from the hospital and was transferred to a mental health facility, though her location was apparently unknown for a bit, the sheriff's office said.
Mug shot released
Credit: Volusia Sheriff's Office
Sheriff: Multiple reports of erratic driving before the crash
The backstory:
The crash happened around 12:40 p.m. on June 1 at the Dunlawton Avenue beach entry point in Daytona Beach Shores, officials said.
After hitting the toll booth, Volusia Sheriff Mike Chitwood said the driver continued towards the beach, made a turn, and drove parallel to the water until the truck became stuck in the sand.
Sheriff Chitwood said Tammie Jo Baker, the woman killed, entered the toll booth for work less than 60 seconds before the truck slammed into her. He said she likely died on impact.
Volusia Co. Sheriff breaks down timeline of booth worker death
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood held a news conference Tuesday afternoon to break down the timeline of a toll booth worker who lost her life after a pickup truck crashed into her booth. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer took the press conference live.
Sheriff Chitwood said there were several minutes prior to the crash where people called 911 to report someone driving erratic and, at one point, the wrong way:
- 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Alleged truck driver reported to work.
- 10:30 a.m. — Alleged truck driver was sent home due to slow business and inclement weather.
- 11:00 a.m. — Alleged truck driver visits a local bar and reportedly has two drinks and a shot, according to authorities.
- 12:06 p.m. — She reportedly leaves the bar.
- 12:29 p.m. — Couple calls 911 to report an alleged drunk driver traveling the wrong way on Peninsula Drive, two miles north of Dunlawton Avenue.
- 12:32 p.m. — A second person called 911 to report a reckless driver on Peninsula Carter, near Carter Terrace, about a mile from Dunlawton.
- 12:38 p.m. — Tammie Jo Baker enters her toll booth at the Dunlawton Avenue beach entrance
- 12:38 p.m. — Pickup truck crashes through Baker's toll booth and continues to drive on the beach.
- 12:40 p.m. — EMTs and lifeguards rushed to Tammie Baker's aid, but she was declared dead.
Who was Tammie Jo Baker?
The backstory:
Baker was remembered by friends and family as someone who loved animals, to garden, and to go to the beach. Her birthday was less than two weeks away – June 13 – where she would have turned 64, her family told FOX 35.
What they're saying:
"She loved her animals, she loved her garden, she loved the beach," Louella, Tammie's daughter, told FOX 35. She also liked to host parties during the holidays and was known to crack a joke or two that made people laugh.
"She's going to be so missed," Louella said.
The Source: Information in this story was gathered from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office.