Credit: Florida Highway Patrol
A Temple Terrace police officer has been terminated and arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) after an investigation found he crashed his cruiser at high speeds into a vehicle and killed a six-year-old girl.
An independent investigation conducted by FHP, found that Officer Zachary Mason Krug, 25, was not conducting any law enforcement action on April 15 at around 3:45 p.m., when he drove his TTPD-issued Ford Explorer over 100 miles per hour along East Fowler Avenue, which has a speed limit of 50 miles per hour.
According to FHP, a 36-year-old woman was driving a Nissan Pathfinder eastbound in the turn lane of Fowler Avenue approaching North Drive at around the same time, while also transporting an eight-year-old girl, a six-year-old girl and a one-year-old girl.
FHP says the driver performed a U-turn directly into the path of Krug, who was driving his vehicle westbound in the center lane of East Fowler Avenue approaching North Drive.
All drivers and passengers were taken to local hospitals. FHP says the six-year-old died at the hospital from injuries, and the eight-year-old remains in the hospital.
Krug, who has been with TPPD since 2024, surrendered to FHP troopers on April 30 and was charged with vehicular homicide, and three counts of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.
Temple Terrace Police Department also conducted its own internal administrative investigation and determined Krug acted in violation of department policy, city rules and regulations and applicable law, and has since been fired.
“We remain deeply saddened by the loss of life resulting from this crash and extend our continued condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones,” said TPPD in a statement. “We fully support the Florida Highway Patrol’s independent investigation and the actions they are taking based on their findings.”
Krug is being held without bond at Hillsborough County Jail, with a first court appearance set for Friday, May 1.
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This article appears in Apr. 30 – May 06, 2026.