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A former anchor and correspondent for CNN International’s “World Business Today” has been arrested in Palm Beach, Fla., charged with striking a vehicle from behind and then fleeing the scene.
Felicia Taylor was arrested by Palm Beach Police on July 28 after she allegedly stuck another vehicle in her white Mercedes, causing injury to the other driver before leaving the scene of the accident, Page Six reported exclusively.
Taylor, 57, ran into the rear bumper of a black Ford driven by a 24-year-old man who had stopped in traffic, according to a police report.
“His vehicle was struck from behind by the white Mercedes. The impact caused [him] to strike the steering wheel, causing multiple complaints of injuries,” the report states.
But, following the crash, Taylor’s Mercedes was seen “fleeing the scene of the accident without rendering aid or stopping to provide information,” the report notes further, according to Page Six.
The policy report went on to say that Taylor’s vehicle was seen driving past the scene of the accident at least twice. Her vehicle had “sustained heavy front end damage,” the report said, adding that she did not stop either of the times she was seen driving past following the accident.
Not long after, a police officer pulled her over, stating, “Taylor acknowledged being involved in a traffic crash and that the other driver was ‘OK. Taylor continued to state that she wanted to go back to her house…and that the accident was ‘not a big deal.'”
According to Page Six, Taylor also told the officer she had left The Colony Hotel, “and when confronted that the Colony Hotel was closed, Taylor didn’t have a response.”
Citing the report, Page Six added that Taylor denied being on any prescription meds or having had any alcohol. The officer noted that he didn’t smell any alcohol on her breath.
“Prior to the crash, Taylor stated she was at a restaurant on Worth Avenue and then stated she was at a restaurant in the Royal Poinciana Plaza. We were unable to locate a restaurant that recalls Taylor as a guest,” the police report continued, according to the outlet.
She also “wanted the injuries of the other driver to be substantiated” and stated “the damage to her vehicle is her problem, its ‘hard to be a good person’ and she didn’t stop at the accident scene because she didn’t know there was anything to be concerned with,” the report continued.
Page Six adds:
The other driver was treated at the scene by EMTs and complained of jaw, head, neck and back pain. Taylor was evaluated twice by EMTs and was found to be unhurt.
Taylor was arrested and taken to Palm Beach County Jail, where she was charged with careless driving and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury. She was released on $3,000 bail and has entered a not guilty plea.
Her Mercedes was hauled away by police, who found a bottle of white wine that was three quarters full, plus a silver thermos also three quarters full “of an unknown alcoholic beverage.” Both the wine bottle and thermos were wedged behind the passenger seat “and out of the reach of the driver.”
The outlet reported that Taylor was previously arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2015. Police arrested her after she sideswiped another vehicle in the Hamptons. She had a blood alcohol level three times the legal limit, Page Six added.
Taylor’s arrest is just the latest black eye for CNN.
Another former host, Chris Cuomo, was fired from the network late last year after it was discovered that he lied to officials about the amount of work and advice he provided his brother, then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who was facing a dozen sexual harassment allegations. The Democratic governor eventually resigned, and his brother, the now-former prime-time host, also faced allegations of inappropriate sexual contact.
And earlier this year, then-CNN President Jeff Zucker was also forced out after admitting that he had an “inappropriate” relationship with a network colleague.
