A former Temple Terrace police officer, Zachary Krug, was arraigned in court on Monday, July 13, in relation to an April 15 car crash that resulted in the death of a six-year-old. The 25-year-old, who was charged with vehicular homicide and three counts of reckless driving involving serious bodily injuries, pleaded not guilty, according to reports.
Krug, who was apparently late for work on the day of the incident, allegedly reached 104 mph in a 50-mph zone. The former police officer was driving west on Fowler Avenue, approaching the intersection with North Avenue. Samantha Sakowski, who was driving a Nissan Pathfinder and delivering Uber Eats orders, was “in the median either making a left or a U-turn” when calamity struck.
Krug hit the brakes and was allegedly driving at a speed of 74 mph when he crashed into the passenger side of Sakowski’s car. The woman was inside the vehicle with three young girls aged 18 months, six years, and eight years. Authorities transported Sakowski, the 18-month-old, and the eight-year-old to the hospital with critical injuries, per Law&Crime. Meanwhile, the six-year-old named Leila passed away.
Krug’s defense claimed he was pursuing a speeding driver during the incident
The 25-year-old was on duty when the fatal crash happened, per WFLA. Consequently, Krug’s defense attorney, Ralph Fernandez, has argued that the former police officer was trying to “track down a speeding driver,” per Law&Crime. Fernandez told reporters in May that a vehicle was in front of Krug’s police cruiser and that it ran a light, leaving a patch of smoke behind. According to the defense, the 25-year-old pursued the car, resulting in a chase that ultimately led to the tragedy…