Deputy who let accused DUI driver go before fatal wrong way I-75 crash identified

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK)—A woman accused of driving drunk the wrong way on I-75 and killing a 96-year-old man was pulled over by a Collier County deputy hours before the deadly crash.

Genise Taylor, 24, appeared in court Monday afternoon for a pre-trial hearing, at times holding back tears as prosecutors detailed the events leading up to the deadly crash. Taylor remained silent throughout the proceedings.

Taylor was pulled over two hours before the crash by Collier County Deputy Eric Pellegrino.

According to her arrest report, Taylor spent Wednesday night bar hopping in Mercato. Prosecutors say she was pulled over on U.S. 41 by a Collier County Sheriff's deputy, who cited her for speeding.

In a jail call played for the court between Taylor and a family member, Taylor acknowledged the traffic stop. "She says, yes, she was stopped, and then she knew the officer," said Mara Marzano, assistant state attorney.

An FHP trooper testified that two friends picked Taylor up from the traffic stop and took her car to the Waffle House near Pine Ridge Road. At 3:30 a.m., FDOT cameras captured her car at Golden Gate Parkway and I-75.

"She's asleep at an intersection for half an hour or more, and then proceeds to somehow get on the interstate going the wrong way," Marzano said.

Investigators believe Taylor drove onto I-75's south entrance ramp, took a left and began driving north in the southbound lanes. She eventually crashed head-on into two cars, killing 96-year-old Arthur Gilbert.

Taylor's defense attorney argued for her release on bond. "There wasn't an intent for this to happen," said Josh Faett, Taylor's defense attorney. "It's a series of events that spiraled out of control and unfortunately ended in someone's death."

Prosecutors argued Taylor poses a threat to public safety. "There are no conditions of bond that would protect the community from physical harm by her," Marzano said.

The judge sided with the State Attorney's Office, stating Taylor does "pose a threat of harm to the community." She will remain in jail with no bond.

In a statement to WINK News, the Collier County Sheriff's Office identified the deputy involved in the initial traffic stop as Deputy Eric Pellegrino, adding that he has not been placed on administrative leave.

The sheriff's office added that Deputy Pelligrino started with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office on June 18, 2024. He was previously employed by the Baltimore County Police Department.

A Timeline of the Night of the Crash

Tuesday, March 17th

11:30 pm — Genise Taylor leaves her Naples home to meet friends at bars in the Mercato shopping center, according to the FHP arrest report.

Wednesday, March 18th

2:33 am — Taylor is pulled over for speeding on US-41 in Collier County by a Collier County Sheriff deputy. The deputy says she is unfit to drive and lets friends pick her up, according to prosecutor statements from the State Attorney's Office.

3:35 am — Taylor's car is seen on FDOT cameras at a red light at the intersection of Golden Gate Parkway and the I-75 entrance ramp. Her car stays in that spot at the light for about 35 minutes, according to testimony from a FHP traffic homicide investigator.

4:10 am — Another car pulls up next to Taylor's stopped car at the light. According to FHP investigator testimony, FDOT cameras show Taylor's car slowly inching forward and striking a raised median. Video shows the car then slowly rolls onto the I-75 Southbound entrance ramp. Taylor's car then gets on I-75, the prosecution says surveillance video does not clearly show how she gets on the interstate the wrong way, it is likely that Taylor continued traveling onto the Southbound entrance ramp, and made a left to travel North on I-75 while in the Southbound lanes.

4:16 am — The fatal crash happens on I-75 by mile-marker 110, according to Taylor's arrest report.

The sheriff's office also shared the office's policies regarding DUI, which you can read by clicking on the PDF below:

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