Florida beach toll booth worker killed after driver rams structure before getting stuck in sand, sheriff says

DAYTONA BEACH SHORES, Fla. — A toll booth attendant working at a popular Volusia County beach access point was killed Monday afternoon when a pickup truck crashed into her booth with such force that it flipped the structure, authorities said.

The crash occurred around 12:40 p.m. at the Dunlawton Avenue beach access ramp in Daytona Beach Shores, according to the Volusia Sheriff's Office. The victim was identified as Tammy Jo Baker, 62, who had worked for Volusia County for many years and had recently begun employment with the beach parking contractor.

Sheriff Mike Chitwood, who responded to the scene, said the driver of the pickup truck was traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour when the vehicle struck the toll booth.

"That booth isn't made of anything, if you look at it," Chitwood said. "And you hit that thing at 40 miles an hour; there's really nowhere to go. And it flipped the booth around, the force of that."

Baker was pronounced dead at the scene after lifeguards attempted CPR. She was just weeks away from her 63rd birthday, the sheriff noted.

"I think she was probably close to being killed on impact," Chitwood said.

Following the collision, the pickup continued toward the water before the driver attempted to turn around, becoming stuck in the sand. Bystanders rushed to the vehicle and pulled the driver out.

The driver was identified as 35-year-old Deanna Harrell. Authorities said she was being tested for possible impairment at the time. Chitwood noted that there was a heavy odor of alcohol emanating from the vehicle.

"It's just senseless," Chitwood said of the fatal crash.