Crime & Public Safety
Brevard deputy: driver arrested after SUV struck and died horse on Lake Washington Road
A woman in Brevard County was arrested after deputies say her SUV struck and died a horse on Lake Washington Road and she left the scene, authorities reported. Deputies responded Wednesday night to the Smithfield after a caller reported an SUV had hit a horse and fled; the horse was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a probable cause affidavit.
A deputy soon located the woman in a garage next to an SUV with significant front-end damage to the bumper, hood, and windshield. The deputy observed bleeding lacerations to her forehead and nose, slurred speech, and glassy eyes, the affidavit states. Florida Highway Patrol later responded to complete the crash investigation while deputies began a DUI probe.
Records identify the arrested woman as 62-year-old Anne Cross. She faces charges of DUI, DUI with damage to persons or property, and refusal to submit to DUI testing, per arrest records and the affidavit. Cross allegedly told deputies she was returning from a shopping trip and that an unknown object landed on her vehicle; she said she thought she might have struck a deer and continued driving home. The affidavit says she denied consuming alcoholic beverages that evening.
Deputies report Cross refused field sobriety testing, was arrested, and later declined to provide a breath sample. She was assigned a bond amount of $11,000 and posted bond to secure release from custody. The sheriff’s office posted the booking photo and an image of the damaged SUV to social media, according to records.
All individuals accused of a crime are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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All individuals mentioned in criminal allegations are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.