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Published on Thursday, November 11, 2004
in the Daytona Beach News-Journal
DAYTONA BEACH -- The widow of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper killed while trying to apprehend a speeding motorcyclist is seeking a court order so her attorneys can inspect the trooper's wrecked cruiser.
A petition was filed Tuesday in Volusia County circuit court by Daytona Beach attorney W.M. Chanfrau Sr. on behalf of Linda S. Haywood.
According to the petition, the Florida Highway Patrol has kept the cruiser impounded since Trooper Darryl Haywood Sr.'s fatal crash on Oct. 2 and has refused Haywood's representatives and experts a chance to inspect the vehicle and the tire that might have caused the crash.
The inspection will determine whether any legal claims or causes of action exist. Haywood, 49, of Palm Coast, was killed as he pursued a motorcyclist racing east on Interstate 4 between DeLand and Daytona Beach, FHP officials say.
After a rear tire on the cruiser either blew or came apart, Haywood collided with another car and hit a tree..
Motorcyclist Donald Williams, 39, of Seffner is being held without bail in St. Johns County, charged with aggravated manslaughter, vehicular homicide and fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
FHP spokeswoman Trooper Kim Miller said the crash investigation is ongoing.