Instagram model Beverly Slaughter arrested in Florida hit-and-run that killed unborn child; influencer faces 14 felony charges

Time of India

6 days ago

After nearly three months on the run, 25-year-old influencer and model Beverly Yvonne Slaughter was arrested on July 29 in Fort Lauderdale, South Florida. According to local media reports, police say she was behind the wheel of a high-end Mercedes-Benz S-Class when she caused a devastating crash in the early hours of April 29. The impact left four people hospitalised and ultimately led to the death of an unborn child. Instead of staying at the scene, Slaughter fled, triggering a search that ended with her arrest near a McDonald's parking lot.
Victims still reeling from life-altering injuries
The crash happened just after 1 a.m. at the intersection of West Sunrise Boulevard and Northwest 24th Avenue. Slaughter allegedly ran a red light at high speed and slammed into a Nissan Altima that was turning left on a green signal. The force of the collision left four passengers in the Altima with serious injuries. One of those victims later died after being taken off life support on May 2. Another was a pregnant woman who lost her unborn child as a result of the crash. The names of the victims have not been publicly released due to redactions in court records.
Slaughter tried to hide after the crash, police say
According to the police report, after the crash, Slaughter got out of her car and took off on foot. An officer responding to the scene spotted her walking "extremely discreetly" between a bushy fence and a concrete wall near a nearby McDonald's. When stopped, Slaughter reportedly told the officer that her boyfriend had told her to run. Despite the attempt to avoid responsibility, she was arrested at the scene.
Years of reckless driving behaviour catch up to her
Slaughter's driving record is filled with red flags. Prosecutors say her license has been suspended since 2021 and that she has been convicted multiple times for offences including driving under the influence, fleeing police, reckless driving, and operating a vehicle without a valid license. At the time of the April crash, she should not have been behind the wheel at all. This history is now at the centre of a motion filed by prosecutors asking the court to deny her pretrial release.
A 25-year-old Florida influencer, Beverly Slaughter, was arrested for multiple hit-and-run charges and fleeing a car accident scene where a pregnant woman lost her baby. She was driving with a suspended license from prior hit-and-runs. 😳 pic.twitter.com/5FxmX5ixEh
Prosecutors seek to keep her jailed
Assistant State Attorney Ross Weiner, who filed the motion for pretrial detention, argued that Slaughter poses a serious risk to public safety. The motion points to her repeated violations and lack of regard for court orders, stating that no conditions of release would be enough to protect the community. As of now, Slaughter remains behind bars at the Broward Main Jail.
From Instagram fame to criminal charges
Before her arrest, Slaughter was known on social media for her work as a model and influencer. With thousands of followers, she regularly posted brand partnerships, lifestyle content, and modelling photoshoots. That public persona is now being harshly scrutinised as more details emerge about her past behaviour. Many in the Fort Lauderdale community are outraged that someone with her history was able to keep driving—and that it took a tragedy for it to finally stop.
Facing 14 felony charges and mounting public outrage
Slaughter is currently facing 14 felony charges, including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, and driving with a suspended license causing death. The charges reflect the deadly nature of the crash and the serious injuries involved. With public pressure mounting and prosecutors pushing for the harshest penalties allowed under Florida law, Slaughter's case is expected to move quickly through the courts in the coming weeks.
The next court appearance for Beverly Slaughter has not yet been scheduled, but prosecutors have made it clear they will fight to keep her in custody until trial. For the victims' families, the arrest brings a small measure of justice—but the grief and fallout from that April morning are far from over.
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