Authorities are investigating possible impairment after a truck struck a beach toll booth and later entered the ocean.
DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. — A 62-year-old toll booth attendant was killed June 1 after a pickup truck crashed into a beach access toll booth in Daytona Beach Shores before continuing onto the sand and into the Atlantic Ocean, according to Florida authorities.
Investigators are examining whether alcohol impairment played a role in the crash, which left longtime county employee Tammy Jo Baker dead and led to the detention of 35-year-old Deanna Harrell. The unusual sequence of events drew widespread attention after witnesses recorded the damaged truck traveling across the beach and into the water. Authorities have not announced final charges while toxicology testing and the crash investigation continue.
Officials said the incident unfolded Monday afternoon at a beach access point in Daytona Beach Shores. According to investigators, Harrell was driving a pickup truck when it struck the toll booth at an estimated speed of about 40 mph. The impact destroyed much of the structure and fatally injured Baker, who was working inside. Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Baker was pronounced dead at the scene. Rather than stopping after the collision, the truck continued through the beach access area and onto the sand. Witness videos showed the heavily damaged vehicle moving toward the shoreline before entering the ocean. Several beachgoers watched as the truck came to a stop in the water. Authorities later said bystanders helped intervene after the vehicle became stuck and the driver allegedly attempted to leave the area.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood told reporters that investigators immediately began examining whether the driver was impaired. Chitwood said deputies detected what he described as a strong odor of alcohol coming from the vehicle. Authorities ordered both a breath test and a blood draw as part of the investigation. Officials have not publicly released those test results. Investigators also worked to reconstruct the vehicle’s path from the toll booth to the shoreline. Photographs from the scene showed severe front-end damage to the pickup truck, consistent with a high-impact collision. Law enforcement officials temporarily closed the affected beach ramp while evidence was collected and the area was documented. Authorities have not publicly identified any mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash, and investigators have not released a final determination regarding the cause.
Baker’s death shocked coworkers and local residents familiar with the beach toll operation. Officials described her as a longtime county employee who had worked the beach toll for years. Chitwood said Baker was only weeks away from her 63rd birthday. The sheriff noted that she had reported to work as she had done countless times before and unexpectedly lost her life during the incident. Daytona Beach Shores regularly sees large numbers of visitors using beach access ramps, particularly during warm-weather months. Authorities said they were grateful that no additional workers, beachgoers or motorists were struck as the truck traveled from the toll plaza to the shoreline. The incident renewed discussion about safety measures at toll facilities and beach access points, though officials have not announced any immediate changes while the investigation remains active.
Harrell was taken into custody under Florida’s Baker Act, a state law that permits temporary involuntary mental health evaluation under specific circumstances. Authorities said she was being held while investigators completed interviews, reviewed evidence and awaited testing results. As of the latest public update, prosecutors had not announced formal criminal charges. Investigators are expected to evaluate toxicology findings, witness statements, surveillance footage and vehicle evidence before making recommendations. Law enforcement officials said additional charges could depend on the outcome of impairment testing and the final crash reconstruction report. Authorities have not provided a timeline for when those findings will be completed, but officials indicated the investigation remains ongoing and active.
The scene drew a large response from first responders and attracted attention from beach visitors who witnessed portions of the incident. Videos recorded by bystanders showed the truck entering the ocean before coming to a stop. Witnesses gathered near the shoreline as deputies and emergency crews secured the area. Chitwood described the incident as disturbing and senseless, noting that Baker had simply arrived for another workday. Community members expressed sympathy for Baker’s family and colleagues as news of her death spread throughout Volusia County. While investigators continue reviewing evidence, local officials have focused on honoring Baker’s years of public service and supporting those affected by the tragedy. The crash remains one of the most unusual and high-profile incidents reported in the area this year.
Authorities continue to await testing results and other investigative findings before determining what charges, if any, will be filed. The beach access ramp involved in the crash remained part of the ongoing investigation, and officials said further updates are expected once the evidence review is complete.
Author note: Last updated June 6, 2026.