A 20-year-old Florida woman who was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the highway that began when another driver hit an alligator has been identified, according to authorities.
The Indian River County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday said Civilian Corrections Assistant Cassi Taylor “lost her life in a vehicle crash in Brevard County.”
“We are saddened to share the news of the death of one of our newest team members,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post, adding that she died early Monday morning.”Cassi joined our agency on July 20, 2026, and was scheduled to be officially sworn in yesterday,” the post noted. “She is the daughter of Deputy Scott Burke, who many of you may know from community events. Please keep Scott and the entire family in your prayers.”
Citing the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), WPEC reported that the crash happened along Interstate-95 on Sunday shortly before midnight after a Mercedes-Benz hit an alligator in the road.
Taylor, who was driving behind the Mercedes in a Toyota Tacoma, swerved to avoid the damaged car, lost control and overturned, troopers said. She was ejected and landed in the road, where an unidentified vehicle hit her and fled the scene.
Investigators said Taylor was not wearing a seat belt, WPEC noted. The Mercedes driver, a 58-year-old Canadian man, was not hurt and remained at the scene, per the media outlet.
An investigation is underway as authorities search for the driver of the vehicle that left the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact FHP or Central Florida Crimeline.