Calling deputy's death aftermath 'inescapable torture,' drunken driver to serve 29 years
A Massachusetts woman will spend nearly three decades behind bars after she fatally struck a Charlotte County deputy with Southwest Florida ties, a judge determined this week.
Cassandra Smith, 31, was convicted in December of fatally striking Charlotte County Deputy Christopher Taylor, 23, who authorities hope to have a highway portion named after.
She was sentenced to 29 years in prison, followed by one year of probation.
The deputy's father, Richard Taylor, of Naples, referred to him as "Charlotte County Sheriff's Office badge 3624," while giving a victim's impact statement.
"You killed not only my son that day, you killed me," Richard Taylor said.
Deputy Taylor's mother, Karen Taylor, of Cape Coral, also was among those who spoke during sentencing.
"I walked in the room and Chris is laying here," Richard Taylor said, brushing tears off his face. "His eyes are open and they're open weird. And I said, 'Chris, get up. Christopher, get up. There's people to help.'"
As he spoke, Richard Taylor held a photo of his son.
"And when I touched his forehead, it was ice-cold," Richard Taylor said.
Richard Taylor, who said three Collier County deputies knocked on the door of his Collier County home the night of the crash, said he fell to the ground.
Cassandra Smith received 15 years for one count of vehicular homicide, followed by 14 years for one count of DUI manslaughter.
A jury convicted Cassandra Smith of DUI manslaughter; vehicular homicide; and two counts of DUI with damage to property or another person. Charlotte Circuit Judge Shannon McFee has presided over the case.
"To Ms. Smith, I want to encourage you to use these 29 years growing as a person," Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell wrote in a statement. "Let this terrible choice you made serve as the catalyst that turns your life around, for you have forever changed the life of the Taylor family."
Cassandra Smith addressed the courtroom during her sentencing, saying she wasn't herself that night and that she didn't recognize the woman in authorities' footage as herself.
"I'd do literally anything to go back to the night of Nov. 22, 2022, to bring Christopher back to the arms of his loved ones," Cassandra Smith said.
Cassandra Smith gasped and breathed heavy as she read her statement in court.
"This terrible accident has taught me the true meaning of heart ache," Cassandra Smith said, defining it as "inescapable torture."
Cassandra Smith's parents spoke, with her mother, Julie Smith, saying some of the Taylors had forgiven the family in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Legislation in his honor: Bill seeks to rename portion of I-75 after Charlotte County deputy killed in DUI crash
Lawsuit filed: Naples father sues woman accused in drunken driving death of Charlotte County deputy.
According to an arrest report from the Florida Highway Patrol, around 8:45 p.m. Nov. 22, 2022, Cassandra Smith, of Lakeville, Massachusetts, was driving north on Interstate 75 near mile marker 163, in Punta Gorda.
Deputy Taylor was conducting a traffic stop when Cassandra Smith crashed into him and the driver he pulled over, troopers said.
The fallen deputy had emergency equipment activated and was standing with the 29-year-old driver on the shoulder of the road northbound on Interstate 75 when Cassandra Smith crashed.
Deputy Taylor died at ShorePoint Hospital, in Punta Gorda, the affidavit says, days after he proposed to his fiancee.
The pulled-over driver suffered serious injuries.
Cassandra Smith wasn't injured.
"With today's sentencing, Deputy Taylor's families — both blood and blue — can take another step forward in finding closure," Prummell wrote. "Seeing justice served is a big part of that, and although it won't bring Chris back to us, it at least brings a bit of relief."
Prummell said they continue to make progress honoring Deputy Taylor's legacy.
Proposed House Bill 389 was drafted by Florida Rep. Spencer Roach, a Republican representing District 76 at the Florida House of Representatives. Roach represents DeSoto County, as well as parts of Charlotte and Lee counties.
The bill seeks the renaming of the Interstate 75 Peace River Bridge in his memory. That bill has already begun the approvals process.
The drafted bill seeks the implementation of markers along Interstate 75 denoting the portion between the intersection of U.S. 17 and Duncan Road, in Punta Gorda, through Harbor View Road, as "Deputy Christopher Taylor Highway."
If passed by the Florida House of Representatives, it would go to the Florida Senate for review. If both houses ratify it, the bill would take effect July 1, 2024.
Parents of slain deputy want civil penalties
A lawsuit filed Feb. 7, 2023, against Cassandra Smith lists Christopher Taylor's parents as the beneficiaries.
The Taylors, represented by Carlos Cavenago, III, demand a jury trial and more than $50,000 in damages, according to the complaint.
Court records indicate that on Dec. 26 the civil case was stayed until March 5.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@gannett.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran and Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Cassandra Smith gets 29 years for death of Charlotte County deputy
