Crime & Public Safety
Driver Arrested After Deputies Say Vehicle Struck, died Horse on Lake Washington Road in Melbourne
Brevard County deputies arrested a local woman after investigators say her vehicle struck and died a horse on Lake Washington Road in Melbourne and she then returned home without reporting the crash. A witness called 911 after seeing a vehicle hit the animal and leave the scene, prompting a response from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol.
Responding personnel located the horse dead at the scene. The Florida Highway Patrol took the crash investigation while Brevard County deputies opened a DUI inquiry. Deputies later located the damaged vehicle at the driver’s residence and identified the driver as Anne Cross. Deputies reported she appeared to have facial injuries and that the vehicle showed extensive front-end damage, including a crushed hood and a heavily damaged windshield.
Investigators said Cross displayed signs of impairment, including glassy eyes and slurred speech; she refused to perform field sobriety exercises and declined to provide a breath sample. Based on the evidence gathered, deputies charged her with DUI, refusal to submit to testing, and DUI with property damage and transported her to the Brevard County Jail.
Sheriff Wayne Ivey commented that the case underscores the dangers of impaired driving. The Florida Highway Patrol continues its crash investigation.
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.