Judge orders Deanna Harrell to be held without bond in fatal toll booth crash case

A Volusia County judge ordered Deanna Harrell to be held without bond Tuesday as she awaits trial on charges stemming from a crash that killed a toll booth worker at the Dunlawton Beach Approach.Harrell faces charges of DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide in connection with the death of Tammy Jo Baker. Investigators allege Harrell was driving under the influence when her pickup truck crashed into a staffed toll booth, killing Baker.The decision came during a pretrial detention hearing that lasted about a minute.Harrell's court-appointed public defender did not oppose the state's request for detention."The state and the defense is not objecting to the pretrial detention hearing this afternoon," the attorney told the court. "And we would stipulate that if the state were to present evidence that they would be able to meet the standard of the statute."With no objection from the defense, Judge Leah Case quickly granted the request."All right, then, I will hold the defendant in custody without bond," Case said.The hearing was another difficult moment for Baker's family, who attended the proceeding."I forgive her, but I will never forget her actions," Baker's daughter, Louella McBride, said. "And she's forever affected my life. My daughter's life."McBride said her mother's absence continues to be felt throughout the family."My mom was the glue that held us together," she said. "Mom was in charge of all that. It's going to be different this year."Baker's son, Shawn Baker, said his family is trying to move forward while seeking accountability through the court process."She wouldn't want me to have anger and hatred in my heart over this," he said. "At the same time, we would like to see justice done."Harrell remains in custody as the case moves toward trial.