Girl, 6, killed by speeding Florida police officer who was 'late for work'

Girl, 6, killed by speeding Florida police officer who was 'late for work' Zachary Krug, 25, pleaded not guilty after being charged with vehicular homicide and reckless driving over following the death of six-year-old Leila in a high-speed crash in Florida A six-year-old girl has tragically died in a high-speed crash after a Florida police officer allegedly drove at 104mph in a 50mph zone. The alleged incident took place on April 15, when Zachary Krug, 25, at the time a serving officer with the Temple Terrace Police Department, was reportedly "late to his shift." Shortly after 3:30 p. m., Krug allegedly pulled up at a red light before switching on the lights of his unmarked vehicle to speed through the junction. He allegedly accelerated to 104 mph, eventually reaching the intersection of Fowler Avenue and North Avenue, where he encountered a woman completing Uber Eats deliveries with her three children in the car. The mother, Samantha Sakowski, was executing either a left turn or a U-turn at the junction when Krug allegedly spotted her vehicle and hit his brakes. Despite this, he still struck the family at approximately 74 mph, ploughing into the passenger side of their car. reports the Mirror US. The collision left Sakowski and her children with severe injuries. Two of her youngsters, aged 18 months and 8 years, were rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries. Tragically, her 6 year old daughter, Leila, died following the collision. At a previous bond hearing in May, prosecutors presented dash camera footage allegedly showing Krug accelerating 30 seconds prior to the crash. But the defence maintains that Krug was on duty and attempting to pursue another speeding motorist. "A vehicle was in front, took off, left a patch of smoke, ran a light, he began to follow. Then he stopped, then he had to give chase as a result of the catch-up provisions, and then the tragedy struck," defence attorney Ralph Fernandez told reporters in May. State Attorney Suzy Lopez swiftly dismissed that argument, insisting there was no evidence to suggest Krug was in pursuit of another vehicle. "I am absolutely sickened by what happened on that afternoon. This was just a regular old Wednesday afternoon when this officer decided that what he needed to do was more important than what anybody else on the road was doing. He endangered lives and he killed a six-year-old girl by the choices that he made," Lopez said. "No one is above the law, this now former officer was charged with protecting the public and keeping people safe, and he did the exact opposite of that," the state attorney added. A GoFundMe page established by the victims' family reveals that the elder sibling was placed in a medically induced coma suffering a broken spine and pelvis. Sakowski was hospitalised with broken ribs and two black eyes, while the one year old infant sustained a concussion. The GoFundMe has so far raised over $19,000 and an update from the fundraiser's organisers on May 30 revealed that the eight year old "continues to make progress every day." The update reads: "Lily continues to make progress every day. She has been working hard in both physical and occupational therapy, and her doctors are hopeful that she will be able to return home within the next couple of weeks. While she still has a long road ahead, her strength and determination continue to inspire everyone around her. "Once home, Lily will require ongoing therapy and will remain on anti-seizure medication as she continues her recovery." Krug lost his job with the Temple Terrace Police Department in the wake of the incident. He was taken into custody at Hillsborough County Jail. Having posted a $90,000 bond, he is due back in court on 13 August. You can donate to the GoFundme page by clicking here.