Naples Woman Charged With DUI Manslaughter Following Fatal Wrong-Way Collision on Interstate 75 in Collier County

A 96-year-old man was killed in a wrong-way collision on I-75 in Florida. Genise Gardenia Taylor, 24, was arrested for DUI manslaughter following the crash.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 7:02 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Tampa Bay 28

The Devastating Impact of a Wrong-Way Incursion

A tragic intersection of paths occurred in the early morning hours on Interstate 75 when a northbound vehicle entered the southbound lanes, leading to a fatal high-speed encounter. According to reports from the Florida Highway Patrol, 24-year-old Genise Gardenia Taylor was operating a vehicle against the flow of traffic at approximately 4:18 a.m. in Collier County. The resulting head-on collision struck two oncoming vehicles, a 2025 Volvo and a Chevrolet Suburban, with such force that it claimed the life of one driver and left another traveler injured. This incident underscores the extreme danger posed by wrong-way drivers on major Florida arteries during hours of limited visibility.

Casualties and Injuries Reported in the Aftermath

The victims of the collision included a 96-year-old Naples resident who was operating the Volvo at the time of the impact. Despite being transported to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment, the elderly man succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The driver of the Chevrolet Suburban, identified as a 57-year-old man from New Hampshire, was also taken to the hospital for evaluation. While his injuries were characterized by state troopers as non-incapacitating, the psychological and physical toll of such a sudden highway catastrophe remains significant. The suspect herself sustained only minor injuries before being taken into law enforcement custody.

Legal Consequences and Booking at Collier County Jail

Following a preliminary investigation at the scene, state troopers placed Taylor under arrest on a charge of DUI manslaughter. Under Florida statutes, this charge carries severe penalties, reflecting the state's zero-tolerance approach to intoxicated driving that results in the loss of human life. Investigators indicate that impairment was a central factor in the suspect's decision to enter the interstate in the wrong direction. Taylor was subsequently booked into the Collier County Jail, where she awaits further judicial proceedings. The swift transition from the crash site to incarceration marks the beginning of a complex legal process for the 24-year-old.