CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL. (THECOUNT) — Cassandra Smith, of Lakeville, Massachusetts, has been identified as the driver suspected of being impaired in a Tuesday vehicle crash that killed a Florida deputy in Charlotte County.
Cassie Smith, 30, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after causing a crash that killed a deputy on Interstate 75 Tuesday in Cleveland, Florida.
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According to reports, Smith was operating a Jeep on Interstate 75 south of US-17 in Cleveland, when the vehicle crossed centerlines and came into rear-end contact with the deputy’s patrol vehicle. The force of the crash caused the patrol vehicle to strike the deputy and the Honda and its driver.
The patrol vehicle had his emergency lights activated and the deputy was standing with the Honda driver on the shoulder of the road when Smith’s Jeep collided with the deputy’s vehicle.
The deputy suffered significant injuries and was transported to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The Honda driver was hospitalized with minor injuries.
Smith was arrested on a DUI manslaughter charge and was booked into the Charlotte County jail.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
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Geo quick facts: Charlotte County is a U.S. county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of the 2010 census, the population was 159,978. Its county seat is Punta Gorda. Charlotte County comprises the Punta Gorda, FL Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the North Port-Sarasota, FL Combined Statistical Area – Wikipedia.