VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A woman accused of plowing through a Volusia Beach toll booth, killing a worker and then driving into the ocean, will remain in jail ahead of her trial. Deanna Harrell is facing multiple charges, including vehicular homicide and DUI, stemming from the incident last week.
During a bond hearing, Harrell’s defense attorneys conceded that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to keep her detained before trial — offering little argument against her continued detention.
The family of slain toll booth worker Tammie Jo Baker was also in court, coming face to face with the woman accused of killing their mother and wife for the first time.
“My mom was the glue that held us together,” said Louella McBride, Baker’s daughter.
Harrell entered the courtroom in an orange jumpsuit and shackles as Baker’s children watched on. McBride said being in the courtroom was deeply personal.
“I just wanted her to see part of the family that she affected for the rest of our lives,” McBride said.
Baker’s son, Shawn Baker, described the overwhelming emotion of seeing his mother’s accused killer for the first time.
“I was fine until it started, and then, my heart started thundering,” Shawn Baker said. “My mom was a wonderful woman, she was a strong woman, she brought her bible to work every day into the tollbooth.”
Surveillance video from last Monday shows a black pickup truck speeding down a beach ramp and striking the toll booth. Baker, who had just stepped inside the booth, was killed on impact. Authorities say Harrell continued driving down the beach before becoming stuck in the sand.
Despite the grief, Shawn Baker said his mother’s spirit guides how he wants to respond to the tragedy.
“She wouldn’t want me to have anger in my heart over this but at the same time we’d like to see justice done,” he said.
Harrell is due back in court in two weeks for an arraignment. Baker’s family says they plan to push for the Dunlawton Beach Approach to be renamed in her honor and are scheduled to meet with the county in July to discuss the proposal.