WHITE SPRINGS, Fla. — An Atlanta teenager was killed early Tuesday when her mother sped away from troopers at more than 100 mph, crashing her car into pine trees along I-75 in Florida, according to multiple media reports.
Cinceria E. Cooke, 34, of Atlanta, drove a Chrysler 300 north on the interstate at 103 mph near White Springs, which is about 30 miles south of the Florida-Georgia line, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) told the Orlando Sentinel. Troopers began to follow Cooke’s vehicle about 1 a.m. after clocking her speed.
Troopers told the newspaper that Cooke was driving “recklessly” as she passed vehicles on the emergency shoulder, made improper lane changes and remained at more than 100 mph. Despite patrol vehicles activating their emergency lights in an attempt to pull her over, she continued driving away, troopers said.
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At one point, she allegedly exited the interstate at the Fla. 47 exit only to get back on the interstate heading north, the FHP said. Near Fla. 136 in Suwannee County, Cooke lost control of her car and plowed into pine trees off the shoulder of the interstate, the newspaper reported.
Cooke was not wearing a seatbelt, but both of her daughters were, the authorities said. Aniyah M. Bynes, 15, died at the scene, while Clevia L. Bynes, 17, suffered minor injuries, the newspaper reported. Cooke was seriously injured in the crash and taken to UF Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Fla.
It’s unknown why Cooke was driving at such a high rate of speed before the chase began. State troopers told the Sentinel that an investigation is ongoing and charges are pending, depending on the results of the investigation.
This report was written by Zachary Hansen, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.