Deputy under scrutiny over traffic stop before wrong-way I-75 crash

The Collier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed a deputy is under review after they stopped a driver accused of a fatal wrong-way crash before the crash.

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Andrea Jones confirmed on March 23 that on March 18, a deputy conducted a traffic stop on Genis Taylor’s vehicle for speeding.

Taylor, 24, of Naples, faces one count of intoxicated driving manslaughter in the March 18 death of Arthur Ward Gilbert, 96, of Naples.

In a March 23 emailed statement, Jones said that on March 19, “The Rambosque Sheriff directed that an internal affairs investigation be initiated and conducted in accordance with state law.”

The Sheriff’s Office did not answer questions about the length of the traffic stop; which road or intersection it occurred on; or whether Taylor received a citation or warning.

The fatal crash occurred around 4:15 a.m. on March 18 along Interstate 75 near mile marker 110 in North Naples, according to a Florida Highway Patrol accident report.

State troopers arrested Taylor after she was released from the Pine Ridge Doctors area. Authorities said she suffered minor injuries.

Authorities said Taylor collided head-on with a car driven by Gilbert and a 57-year-old New Hampshire man.

Genise Gardenia Taylor, 24, faces one count of DUI manslaughter following the death of 96-year-old Arthur Ward Gilbert on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

Genise Gardenia Taylor, 24, faces one count of DUI manslaughter following the death of 96-year-old Arthur Ward Gilbert on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

A blood sample taken by hospital staff about an hour after the accident showed her blood-alcohol level was 0.213, nearly three times the legal limit of 0.08, the report said.

Taylor faces a pretrial detention hearing on March 23 at 2 p.m. Her arraignment is set for April 13.

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Tomas Rodriguez is a breaking/live news reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can contact Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.

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This article originally appeared in the Naples Daily News: Collier County deputy stops Genis Taylor before fatal crash

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