Charlotte County Commissioners Approve Renaming Part of I-75 in Honor of Slain Deputy
In a significant move to honor a fallen deputy, the Charlotte County Commissioners have approved the renaming of a portion of Interstate 75. The segment between Duncan Road and Harbor View Road will now be known as “Deputy Sheriff Christopher Taylor Memorial Highway.” This change comes in remembrance of Deputy Taylor, who was tragically killed by a drunk driver during a traffic stop in November 2022.
Cassandra Smith, responsible for the fatal incident, was sentenced to 29 years for DUI manslaughter. During her trial, compelling video evidence showed Smith, intoxicated, veering across three lanes of traffic before striking Deputy Taylor.
The decision to rename the highway segment was brought forward by State Representative Spencer Roach, reflecting the profound impact of Taylor’s death on the Southwest Florida community. “This is a young man who was cut down in the prime of life,” Roach commented. “He was 23 years old when this tragic event occurred. As an only child, the loss is unimaginably tragic for his parents and family.”