Temple Terrace police officer arrested after high-speed crash kills young girl

A Florida police officer has been arrested and dismissed from duty following a high-speed car crash that claimed the life of a six-year-old girl and left her two siblings severely injured.

Zachary Mason Krug, formerly of the Temple Terrace Police Department, was arrested on Thursday, on charges including vehicular homicide and three counts of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.

The tragic incident occurred during the rush hour on 15 April near several schools in Tampa. Investigations by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) revealed that Krug was the "primary contributor to the fatal crash," allegedly travelling at speeds exceeding 100 mph—double the posted limit—while running late for his shift.

The on-duty officer’s vehicle struck a car carrying a mother and her three daughters, aged one, six, and eight, forcing them into a ditch.

While the infant has been released from hospital, the eight-year-old sister remains in a medically induced coma, "fighting for her life" with a broken spine and brain swelling.

The Temple Terrace Police Department expressed they are "deeply saddened" by the child's death and confirmed that Krug’s use of emergency lights during the incident violated department policy.

The children's father, John Jackson, is now managing the family’s care amid significant financial strain. This tragedy follows a separate motorcycle accident eighteen months ago that left Mr Jackson with debilitating injuries.

Krug remains in custody and is expected to attend his first court hearing on Tuesday, 5 May, to face the formal charges brought against him.