In Daytona Beach Shores, Florida, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is actively pursuing an arrest warrant for Deanna Harrell, a 36-year-old Ormond Beach resident. Harrell is accused of driving her pickup truck into a toll booth, resulting in the tragic death of the attendant inside, and subsequently crashing into the ocean.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced that a warrant has been issued for Harrell on charges of vehicular homicide. Following the incident, Harrell was initially detained under Florida’s Baker Act but was released shortly thereafter, leading authorities to seek formal charges against her.
The incident took place on a Monday afternoon at the Dunlawton Avenue beach access ramp in Daytona Beach Shores. Tammie Jo Baker, 63, the toll booth attendant, was fatally injured when the truck hit her booth at a speed of approximately 40 mph before continuing its path into the ocean.
“The impact was likely fatal,” Sheriff Chitwood remarked. “The structure of the booth is minimal, and at 40 miles per hour, there is little chance of survival. The force of the collision was enough to violently displace the booth.”
Recently released body-camera footage from the scene reveals witnesses reporting to deputies that Harrell appeared to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the crash. Additionally, court records indicate that Harrell was subject to a temporary risk protection order last year due to threats of self-harm.
Body-camera footage released Tuesday shows witnesses telling deputies that Harrell smelled of alcohol following the crash. Court records also show Harrell was placed under a temporary risk protection order last year after allegedly threatening to end her own life.
On Tuesday, a vigil was held at the beach access ramp where Baker was working, where family members and Daytona Beach Shores Mayor Nancy Miller gathered to honor her life.
