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Published on Wednesday, December 1, 2004
in the Daytona Beach News-Journal

Family of killed trooper denied access to patrol car

DAYTONA BEACH -- A judge on Tuesday dismissed a civil action filed by the widow of a Florida Highway Patrol trooper killed while trying to apprehend a speeding motorcyclist.

The petition filed on behalf of Linda S. Haywood in circuit court Nov. 9 sought a court order allowing her attorneys to inspect the cruiser Trooper Darryl Haywood was driving when he crashed and died Oct. 2 on Interstate 4.

According to the petition, the FHP has kept the cruiser impounded since Haywood's death and has refused Haywood's representatives a chance to inspect the vehicle and a rear tire. The tire either blew or came apart before Haywood collided with another car and hit a tree, officials say.

Circuit Judge John W. Watson III dismissed the petition without prejudice and Haywood's attorneys have 20 days to file an amended petition.

The accused motorcyclist, Donald Williams, 39, faces charges in Volusia and St. Johns counties.