A Florida sheriff's deputy's step-daughter was killed in a chain-reaction hit-and-run car crash caused by an alligator hours before she was due to be sworn in as an officer herself.

Cassi Taylor died on August 30 after she tried to swerve to avoid a pile-up ahead of her on the highway in Titusville and ended up plowing into another vehicle.

Taylor, 20, was traveling southbound behind a Mercedes-Benz E-350 driven by a behind a 58-year-old Canadian man when the collision occurred, WESH reported.  

The Mercedes driver spotted an alligator on the road and crashed into it, killing it immediately. 

Taylor tried to steer in a different direction to avoid the collision but lost control of her Toyota Tacoma pick up truck and overturned.

She was not wearing a seatbelt at the time and was sent flying out of the driver's seat and onto the middle lane of the highway, according to investigators.

Taylor was then struck by a driver in a third vehicle who ran her over and drove away without stopping to get out. The Mercedes driver remained at the scene of the crash and did not have any injuries.

Taylor  was pronounced dead at the scene. She was scheduled to be sworn in as a correctional officer the next morning, according to Indian River County Sheriff's Office. 

Her step-father Sheriff's Deputy Scott Burke, first joined the Sheriff's Office on July 20 2026.

'We are saddened to share the news of the death of one of our newest team members,' the force wrote in a social media post.

Dana Hamlin from Local Helping Hands Foundation, Inc., a close family friend, organized a GoFundMe to cover Taylor's cremation and funeral expenses. 

'Cassi was an amazing young lady with a heart of pure gold who will dearly be missed,' the fundraiser said. 

The GoFundMe was halted September 1st after it reached $14,785 in donations, surpassing the original goal of $7,500. 

The donations will be split between Taylor's parents, who will hold two separate services in both Hamilton and Brevard counties. 

Hamlin and Taylor's family are also hosting a 'Celebration of Life' event in her honor next month. 

Car crashes caused by collisions with alligators are generally rare, although more likely to occur from July through September when they emerge during mating season.

Police are still looking to trace the driver of the third vehicle which hit Taylor and left her for dead. 

Florida Highway Patrol is asking anyone who may have information about the crash to contact the agency at *347 or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS.