Woman detained after driving into beach toll booth and killing longtime attendant
(Volusia Sheriff’s Office )
A Florida beach toll booth attendant, Tammy Jo Baker, 63, died after a pickup truck crashed into her station and then drove into the ocean in Daytona Beach Shores.
The incident occurred around 12:40 p.m. Monday at the Dunlawton beach access ramp, which remains closed following the crash.
The driver, 36-year-old Deanna Harrell, was detained after witnesses reported she drove the truck into the ocean and appeared to try to drive away.
Harrell was taken into custody under Florida’s Baker Act for a mental health crisis and is being tested for alcohol intoxication, with a strong odor of alcohol noted by the sheriff.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood indicated Baker likely died on impact due to the fragile construction of the toll booth.
