Christopher Taylor Bio – Christopher Taylor Wiki
Christopher Taylor, a Deputy, was conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 75 in Punta Gorda around 8:45 p.m.
AGE:
Christopher Taylor was 23 years old.
DETAIL OF INCIDENCE:
A Massachusetts woman has been arrested concerning the death of a Florida sheriff’s deputy who was struck and killed by a vehicle Tuesday night, days after celebrating his 23rd birthday.
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Taylor was conducting a traffic stop on Interstate 75 near the Duncan Road exit when he was fatally hit by a speeding vehicle.
He was taken to a hospital where he died, Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Brummell said.
“He just celebrated his 23rd birthday on Saturday,” Prummell noted. “Losing a deputy, a member of our family, is unspeakably difficult for the (sheriff’s) office. The passing of such a promising and kind young man is a tremendous loss for Charlotte County and all the world.”
Brummell said Taylor joined the sheriff’s office in August 2021 and was officially sworn in back in February.
The driver of the vehicle that struck Taylor was identified as 30-year-old Cassandra Smith of Lakeville, Massachusetts. She was arrested on suspicion of DUI manslaughter.
Brummell said it was her second DUI arrest, and she had just completed her probation in August.
Investigators believe Smith was traveling northbound on the freeway when she lost control of her Jeep, veered from the left lane, and entered the shoulder. Fox Tampa reported that she then crashed into the rear of Taylor’s parked patrol vehicle.
A third vehicle, a Honda, was parked in front of Taylor’s vehicle. The 29-year-old driver of that car was hospitalized with severe injuries. A 28-year man, a passenger, was uninjured.
Smith called 911 after the crash and was taken into custody by troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol.