INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A newly hired civilian corrections assistant with the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office was killed late Sunday on Interstate 95 after a crash that started when a driver hit an alligator in the roadway, the Florida Highway Patrol and sheriff’s office said.
The victim was identified as Cassi Taylor, 20, of Palm Bay. She joined the sheriff’s office on July 20, 2026, and was scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, August 31.
Taylor was the daughter of Deputy Scott Burke, who the agency said is known to many in the community through local events.
“We are saddened to share the news of the death of one of our newest team members,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. “Please keep Scott and the entire family in your prayers.”
What happened
The crash was reported just before midnight Sunday near mile marker 214 in Brevard County.
FHP said a 58-year-old man from Canada was driving south in the center lane in a 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-350 when he saw an alligator in the road and could not avoid it. The front of his vehicle struck the animal. The man was not injured and stayed at the scene.
Taylor was behind him in a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. Troopers said she swerved to miss the Mercedes, lost control, and her pickup overturned. She was ejected and came to rest in the center lane. FHP said she was not wearing a seat belt.
An unidentified vehicle then struck her and left the scene, troopers said. Taylor was pronounced dead at the scene.
The hit-and-run investigation is ongoing.
The community has come together and raised $14,785 for Cassi’s family to help with cremation and funeral costs.
Did you see the Accident
Anyone with information about the crash or the vehicle that fled is asked to call FHP at *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.
