Daytona Beach Shores Tammie Joe Baker, 62, was killed on Monday afternoon after a pickup truck slammed into a beach access toll booth where she was working. The crash happened shortly before 1 p.m. at the Dunlawton Avenue beach access ramp. It turned a routine work shift into a fatal moment in seconds.
Authorities said the pickup truck was traveling eastbound when it went straight into the toll booth. Baker was inside at the time, carrying out her duties as an attendant for a county parking operations contractor. The force of the impact destroyed the small structure instantly.
Law enforcement described the scene as severe. The booth was crushed by the collision and shifted from its original position. Emergency crews responded quickly after the crash was reported. They attempted lifesaving efforts, but Baker did not survive her injuries.
The loss has shaken her family, coworkers, and people in the local community. She was known as a steady worker who showed up to do her job like any other day. The suddenness of the incident has left many struggling to process what happened.
Investigators identified the driver as Deanna Harrell of Ormond Beach. Authorities said the driver tried to leave the area after the crash but was taken into custody by responding officers. Officials also reported signs that led them to suspect impairment at the scene.
The driver was evaluated by law enforcement and later placed under custody procedures while investigators continued reviewing the situation. Officials have not yet finalized all details surrounding what led to the crash, and the case remains under active investigation.
The beach access ramp was closed immediately after the incident. Investigators continued working at the scene to collect evidence and reconstruct the events that led to the fatal impact. The closure remained in place as the inquiry progressed.
