New bodycam video shows deputy conducting sobriety tests on Genise Taylor before deadly wrong-way I-75 crash

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The Collier County Sheriff's Office released the bodycam footage from the night accused wrong-way driver Genise Taylor was pulled over on suspicion of DUI hours before a fatal crash. Taylor, 24, was arrested in March and is accused of causing the deadly wrong-way crash on I-75 that killed 96-year-old Arthur Gilbert of Naples.

She was charged with DUI manslaughter, DUI damage to a person or property, vehicular homicide, and reckless driving.

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — The Collier County Sheriff's Department released the bodycam footage from the night that accused wrong-way driver Genise Taylor was pulled over for a suspected DUI hours before a fatal crash. Taylor, 24, was arrested in March and accused of causing the deadly wrong-way crash on I-75 that killed 96-year-old Arthur Gilbert of Naples.

According to Florida Highway Patrol, Taylor collided with the two vehicles, causing critical injuries to a 96-year-old Naples man and non-incapacitating injuries to a 57-year-old man from New Hampshire.

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

According to her arrest report following the fatal crash, Taylor spent the night bar-hopping in Mercato. Prosecutors say she was pulled over on U.S. 41 by deputy Pellegrino, who cited her for speeding. She did not receive a ticket for a DUI, despite the deputy conducting field sobriety tests on her and Taylor acknowledging that she had been drinking that night.

During Taylor's pre-trial hearing, she alleged that the cop who had pulled her over knew her and let her go.

In the footage Pellegrino can be seen directing Taylor through sobriety tests beside her car.

Around the 6:25 mark, Taylor tells the deputy that she had "one or two shots," and wine. Pellegrino responded, "So now it's wine and two shots?"

Taylor then says, "No, it's wine plus one shot, which is combined like, [a] half shot."

At 6:55 she tells the deputy that she can walk in a straight line and promises him that she's OK to drive.

After asking her to continue sobriety exercises, Pellegrino tells her around the 10-minute mark that she has three options.

"Here's the deal, you're not driving," Pellegrino says. "Your options are to call someone to pick you up, or take an Uber. The third option is jail."

Taylor chose to call her friends and have them come pick her up and take her car. After some discussion, Pellegrino tells her, "you're going to get a ticket or two."

"No, for what?" Taylor asks.

"One is for speeding, and you've been drinking. You're lucky you're not going to jail," Pellegrino responds.

At the 21:45 mark, Pellegrino hands her the speeding citation and says, "71 in a 45, $278 dollar ticket."

Taylor asks about contesting it in court, and Pellegrino tells her if she does, he'll tell the judge "that you were impaired and you were driving under the influence."

After some further conversation about the traffic citation, Taylor thanks Pellegrino around the 23:55 mark, saying, "Thank you, I know you only did it because you know who I am."

Pellegrino responds, "No, I didn't give you special treatment."

At 24:55 he tells her, "Don't be driving drunk, because what's going to happen is you're going to kill yourself, or you're going to kill someone else."

"Don't look at this as a free pass," Pellegrino says. "Because, if anyone else in this district pulled you over you'd be in jail right now," he added.

In response to the investigation, the Collier County Sheriff's Office told WINK News that deputy Pellegrino continues to be on the job. "He was never under suspension. This is still an active Professional Responsibility Bureau investigation," the Sheriff's office said.

WINK News reporter Maddie Herron has reached out to the attorneys of both Arthur Gilbert's family as well as Genise Taylor for comment.