Family of victim who was killed in deadly wrong-way I-75 crash working with attorney

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

The family of Arthur Gilbert, 96, hired the Morgan & Morgan law firm after he was killed in a deadly wrong-way DUI crash along I-75 in Collier County.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers reported that Gilbert died after his vehicle and another were hit by a suspected drunk driver, Genise Taylor, 24, on March 18 at approximately 4:18 a.m.

Taylor was arrested for the fatal wrong-way crash, and troopers stated that she was driving with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.

Hours before the crash, Taylor was pulled over and cited for traveling at 71 mph in a 45-mph zone along U.S. 41 by Collier County Deputy Eric Pellegrino.

During Taylor's pre-trial hearing in March, prosecutors noted that Taylor admitted on a jailhouse call that she knew Pellegrino. Prosecutors also said Pellegrino didn't let her drive and instead allowed her friends to pick her up after the traffic stop, before they went to Waffle House.

Taylor got behind the wheel again sometime after the stop, according to investigators.

The Collier County Sheriff's Office is investigating the traffic stop involving Pellegrino and Taylor. CCSO said he has not been placed on administrative leave as the internal affairs investigation is ongoing.

Pamela Gilbert, Arthur's widow, previously spoke to Gulf Coast News after the crash.

"This woman will live with this for the rest of her life," said Pamela Gilbert. "The law will take care of whatever needs to happen, and I couldn't put my energy into that anger."

A statement from Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan and attorney Blake Lange reads as follows:

“Arthur Gilbert was a beloved and respected member of the Naples community, and his death has left an unimaginable void in the lives of his wife, family, and friends. We’re in the early stages of investigating this senseless tragedy, and we’re exploring all possible avenues for justice and aiming to hold those responsible for his death fully accountable to the greatest extent of the law.”

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