Driver in deadly wrong-way I-75 crash knew deputy who stopped her hours before, prosecutors say

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

New information revealed in court on Monday shows that a Collier County deputy who let a woman go from a traffic stop was someone the deputy knew. Hours after that traffic stop, the driver was involved in a deadly wrong-way DUI crash on I-75.

A pre-trial hearing was held Monday for Genise Taylor, 24, who was arrested for the crash that killed Arthur Gilbert, 96, on March 18.

According to the document and the state, on March 17, at approximately 11:30 p.m., St.Packrick's Day night, Taylor was reportedly at Blue Martini Lounge, Naples at the Mercato.

A deputy pulled Taylor over at approximately 2:30 a.m. Wednesday on US-41. According to the State Attorney's Office, Taylor admitted during a jail call that she knew the deputy who stopped her for speeding.

After the traffic stop on US-41, friends picked Taylor up, and they went to Waffle House.

Investigators said cameras later showed Taylor's car sitting for about 35 minutes at the intersection of Golden Gate Parkway and the I-75 on-ramp near exit 105.

Afterward, she drove up the ramp, turned around, and entered I-75 going the wrong way, leading up to the crash, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper testified.

During Monday's hearing, troopers said multiple videos show Taylor driving the wrong way in the southbound lanes of I-75, causing drivers to swerve to avoid her.

Then, at 4:18 a.m., Taylor crashed into two vehicles, one of which was driven by Gilbert, who died.

A blood test conducted on Taylor at the hospital at 5:45 a.m. showed a BAC of 0.213, which is nearly three times the legal limit.

The judge ruled that Taylor will remain in jail without bond, citing her disregard for public safety and multiple chances to stop driving before the crash.

Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk said he directed an internal affairs investigation to be conducted on the encounter between Taylor and the deputy.

[image id='1137c942-aeb6-4a0b-b70a-eeed89b21f0d' mediaId='5a308c90-cf18-4586-9891-0b6a1e3d4f58' align='center' size='medium' share='true' caption='Arthur Gilbert, 96.' expand='' crop='original'][/image]

Previous Coverage:

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

[image id='84d8fbef-d2b4-45a7-afca-34852295ded5' mediaId='a8973b5c-416a-47a2-872f-bee9e66cb356' align='center' size='medium' share='true' caption='' expand='' crop='original'][/image]