A 20-year-old Palm Bay woman died late Sunday after her pickup truck flipped on Interstate 95 near Titusville. The crash began when a Canadian man struck an alligator in the roadway, causing Cassi Taylor’s vehicle to swerve and roll over. Taylor, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and later hit by a third vehicle. Florida Highway Patrol officials are searching for the driver of the unidentified car that fled the scene. The incident occurred at 11:52 p.m. near mile marker 214 in Titusville.
The crash involved a 2010 Mercedes Benz E-350 driven by a 58-year-old Canadian man traveling southbound in the center lane. He hit the alligator, which caused Taylor’s pickup truck to flip. Taylor was thrown from her vehicle into the roadway. A third vehicle, also heading southbound, ran over her before leaving the scene. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene. The Mercedes driver suffered no injuries and remained at the crash site.
This is the fifth hit-and-run reported in Brevard County since January 1. FHP officials emphasized the importance of reporting any information related to the crash. The driver of the third vehicle has not been identified.
Taylor’s family identified her as Cassi Taylor. FHP is asking witnesses to contact *347 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS. The investigation is ongoing, with officials focusing on locating the hit-and-run driver.
The crash highlights the dangers of wildlife on Florida’s highways. Alligators are common in the area, but this is one of the few incidents involving a collision on I-95 in recent months. Local residents have expressed concern over the rising number of hit-and-run incidents in the county.