VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A woman spent nearly two weeks in jail for a deadly hit-and-run crash investigators now say she had nothing to do with, raising questions about how Florida Highway Patrol handled the initial investigation.
On Oct. 4, just before 10 p.m., a chain-reaction crash on Interstate 4 near DeBary killed three people and critically injured another driver. Troopers interviewed one witness at the scene who reported seeing a black Dodge Durango cause the crash. Using license plate readers, investigators traced a black Durango to Flagler County and arrested Lindsey Isaacs.
After the state attorney requested a new review, a specialist team interviewed additional witnesses who reported seeing a maroon Dodge Durango in the area at the time. Investigators also reviewed a 911 call made the night of the crash. That call included a partial transcript that read: “...A maroon Dodge Durango caused this crash driving like a ‘mad person’ with the first three of the license plate ’458.’” The renewed investigation ultimately led troopers to Alisa Montalvo, whose vehicle showed recent bodywork done shortly after the crash, according to investigators.
News 6 requested the 911 call, but FHP declined to release it, though a partial transcript was obtained. Prosecutors previously decided not to file charges against Isaacs.
News 6 emailed FHP requesting an interview and asking whether an internal investigation has been launched. News 6 also asked whether troopers are trained to review 911 calls when investigating crashes. FHP had not responded at the time of publication.
Former Orlando Police Chief Orlando Rolon, a law enforcement expert, weighed in on the missteps.
“All evidence needs to be taken into account. What we have to keep in mind, though, here is it happened at night, multiple vehicles involved, three fatalities, a lot of information, incomplete information that was coming in and that’s how complicated these investigations can be,” Rolon said.
Rolon also acknowledged the case presents a chance for the agency to reflect.
“When something like this happens it does allow for an opportunity to then review the process,” Rolon said.
Montalvo is currently being held in the Volusia County Jail without bond.