A quiet Monday afternoon at a beach access point turned deadly in Daytona Beach Shores when a pickup truck crashed straight into a toll booth at the Dunlawton Avenue ramp. The impact was violent enough to destroy the small structure and end the life of the worker inside.
The victim was 62-year-old Tammie Joe Baker, who was on duty inside the booth at the time of the crash. She worked as part of the county’s parking operations contract team and was carrying out her normal shift when the truck struck.
The collision happened just before 1 p.m., catching beachgoers and nearby workers off guard. The force of the impact was so severe that the booth was completely crushed and spun off its position.
Officials described the scene as chaotic and deeply tragic. The structure that once stood as a routine checkpoint was reduced to wreckage within seconds.
Emergency responders arrived quickly, but Baker suffered fatal injuries from the crash and could not be saved. The loss sent shockwaves through the local community and workplace.
The driver of the pickup truck, identified as Deanna Harrell of Ormond Beach, was taken into custody shortly after the crash. Authorities reported concerns about possible impairment after detecting the odor of alcohol in the vehicle.
Investigators also noted that the driver allegedly attempted to leave the scene after the impact. She was later placed under a mental health hold as officials continued their assessment.
The beach access ramp was shut down following the incident as investigators processed evidence and worked to determine exactly how the crash unfolded.
