Auburndale officer receives demotion, suspension for speeding in crash that killed girl

An Auburndale police sergeant will receive a demotion and 160 hours of unpaid suspension following an internal investigation of his role in the traffic crash that killed a 5-year-old girl in November.

Auburndale Police Chief Terry Storie submitted a notice of discipline Friday to Sgt. Danny Swan, the officer who crashed his patrol truck at high speed into a vehicle carrying Jalina Anglin on Nov. 24. The girl, whose mother was driving a Kia Rio sedan, was pronounced dead upon arrival at Winter Haven Hospital.

Storie wrote that Swan would be demoted to the rank of officer. He faces 160 hours of unpaid suspension, six months of probationary status and a six-month suspension of the privilege of taking an agency vehicle home.

Storie also ordered Swan to attend and complete an emergency vehicle operations course as soon as practical.

Swan, 35, was responding to a call to assist a Polk County sheriff’s deputy engaged with a combative suspect just before 10 p.m. He turned on the lights and sirens in his marked Chevrolet Silverado patrol truck as he sped east on U.S. 92 and approached the intersection with Havendale Boulevard, according to an earlier PCSO report.

Swan drove through a red traffic light, braking as he neared the intersection. The Kia, driven by Jermanica Anglin of Auburndale, entered the intersection, and Swan’s vehicle struck it, smashing the front end of the car.

The PCSO review, which Storie requested, found that Swan’s truck reached a speed of 105 mph five seconds before the crash and was moving at approximately 68 mph at impact.

Anglin had been stopped at the red light on Havendale Boulevard just before the crash. When the light turned green, she hesitated before pulling forward, the PCSO report said.

Anglin told investigators that she heard the siren but thought the approaching vehicle was still far away. Other drivers remained stopped on Havendale after the light turned green, the report said.

The PCSO review determined that Swan was driving at excessive speed, and the agency cited him for violating a state law that says a vehicle cannot be driven on a highway “at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions and having regard to the actual and potential hazards then existing.”

The report found that Anglin had violated state laws on properly restraining a child in a vehicle and yielding to an approaching emergency vehicle with its lights or siren activated. But PCSO declined to cite her, noting the tragic outcome of the crash.

Storie wrote that he had reviewed the PCSO report and concurred with its findings.

The Auburndale PD’s Traffic Crash Review Board convened on April 16 to review the crash, based on a general departmental order. The board concluded that the crash was preventable, Storie wrote.

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The board assigned Swan 32 infraction points, based on details of the crash, Storie wrote. The notice listed guidelines for discipline corresponding to point totals.

The lowest category, four to five points, yields a counseling form. Progressive discipline for higher totals includes a written reprimand and suspensions of varying lengths.

The top category on the chart, 21 or more points, yields discipline of 160 hours suspension up to termination.

Storie cited certain factors in explaining why he refrained from delivering the harshest punishment. PCSO investigators found no criminal intent on Swan’s behalf and determined that his actions “were not the sole contributing factor to Jalina’s death.”

The Auburndale board determined that the crash caused more than $75,000 in damage, in addition to Jalina’s death, Storie wrote.

Swan waived his right to appear at a pre-disciplinary hearing on May 17, Storie wrote.

“The crash was a tragedy which impacted not only the family of Jalina Anglin but you, your family, and the city of Auburndale and the members of APD,” Storie wrote.

Storie said that Swan has been kept off patrol duty pending the conclusion of the internal investigation.

“You are not just an ordinary law enforcement officer,” Storie wrote to Swan. “You are an exceptionally skilled and knowledgeable law enforcement officer.”

Storie noted that Swan is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and wrote that he has received several awards during his six years with the agency, including two commendations from the chief, two from the deputy chief and eight citations for preservation of life. Swan had gained promotions from officer to corporal and then sergeant, Storie wrote.

“Despite this tragic accident, I believe you still have something to offer the city of Auburndale, its citizens and the APD,” Storie wrote. “It is incumbent on you to heed this discipline, learn from it and teach other law enforcement professionals the consequences of this incident and the negative impact it has on victims’ families, your family, your community, and your agency.”

Storie provided copies to Auburndale’s city manager and city attorney.

Gary White can be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7518. Follow on X @garywhite13.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Auburndale officer demoted for speeding in crash that killed girl