Genise Taylor, woman accused of fatal wrong-way DUI crash on I-75, pleads not guilty

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. —

Genise Taylor, the 24-year-old woman accused of killing 96-year-old Arthur Gilbert in a wrong-way crash on I-75 in March, entered a not guilty plea in court on Monday.

According to Gulf Coast News reporter Jackie Guenther, who was at the courthouse, Taylor's hired attorney entered a not guilty plea on her behalf, the clerk of courts told her.

This means that Taylor and her attorney will not make an appearance in court today.

>>Video Above: Archive footage from March 20, 2026

Taylor faces charges of DUI manslaughter, DUI damage to person/property, vehicular homicide and reckless driving with damage to person/property.

Taylor was arrested for the deadly crash, which occurred on I-75 in Collier County on March 18. Florida Highway Patrol Troopers said she was driving with a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit.

Controversy surrounds the fact that Taylor was pulled over for speeding earlier in the night, prior to the crash. Taylor later admitted in a jail call that she knew the deputy who pulled her over, and subsequently let her go, prosecutors said.

The family of Arthur Gilbert recently hosted a celebration of life on what would have been his 97th birthday on April 9.

It was also recently announced that Gilbert's family had hired the law firm Morgan & Morgan to pursue additional justice.

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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