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Leila Sakowski

Age : 6

Gender : Female

Race : White

Date : 04/15/2026

Location : Fowler Avenue and North Drive

City : Temple Terrace

County : Hillsborough

State : Florida

Agency : Temple Terrace Police Department

Officer(s) :Zachary Mason Krug

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed in police vehicle crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/15/2026, Temple Terrace police officer Zachary Mason Krug crashed an unmarked department-issued Ford Explorer into a Nissan Pathfinder carrying a mother and her three children at East Fowler Avenue and North Drive in Temple Terrace. Florida Highway Patrol investigators said Krug was driving 104 mph in a 50 mph zone seconds before the collision. Police said the mother attempted a U-turn and entered the path of the police SUV. Six-year-old Leila died from her injuries after the crash. An 8-year-old girl suffered severe injuries including a broken spine and brain swelling, while a 1-year-old child and the mother were also injured. Investigators stated Krug was on duty but was not actively taking law enforcement action at the time of the crash. Prosecutors said he was running late for work. Krug briefly activated emergency lights before the collision, but investigators said the lights and siren were not active at the time of impact. Krug was later arrested on vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges and fired by the Temple Terrace Police Department. Defense attorneys claimed he may have been involved in a pursuit, but prosecutors disputed that claim.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/attorney-says-temple-terrace-officer-may-have-been-in-pursuit-before-crash-that-killed-6-year-old/
https://www.fox13news.com/news/prosecutor-fired-temple-terrace-police-officer-crash-kills-child
https://www.police1.com/officer-misconduct-internal-affairs/fla-officer-charged-in-on-duty-crash-that-killed-6-year-old
https://cbs12.com/news/local/running-late-ex-officer-hit-100-mph-with-lights-on-before-crash-that-killed-6-yo-fhp-florida-highway-patrol-central-florida-news-temple-terrace-florida-hillsborough-county-sheriffs-office