Man faces charges in high-speed collision

FORT LAUDERDALE – The impact of the high-speed collision was so severe it killed a woman driver and sent the ejected engine of her Volkswagen sliding over 400 feet down Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale.

Isaiah Anthony Squillace, 19, of Fort Lauderdale, is facing charges that include vehicular homicide and reckless driving after crashing into three vehicles Nov. 25, causing the death of Jessica Taylor Castorino on Dec. 2, in the hospital.

Squillace surrendered at the Broward County Jail on Monday and bond was set at $75,200 at his first court appearance Tuesday.

Broward assistant state attorney Kristi Macy told the court this was not the first time Squillace crashed.

“[He] got his driver’s license in 2016, that’s only four years ago, and this is his third crash. He also has two speeding cases from Broward County,” she said. “Since this crash, he has gone and purchased a 2020 Audi RS3.”

Some of Castorino’s family viewed the court hearing remotely via video conferencing to make sure Squillace “is off the road,” Macy said. The family did not speak.

Defense attorney Eric Schwartzreich requested a low bond amount and quick fitting for a GPS ankle monitor so Squillace could be released from jail as soon as possible for health reasons.

According to the arrest report, Squillace was weaving through traffic in a 2019 Mercedes Benz GLC at 91 mph in a 45 mph zone, south in the 6400 block of N. Federal Highway.

Castorino, 33, was making a left turn from northbound Federal Highway into the parking lot at Broward Health Imperial Point hospital when Squillace struck her 2010 VW Jetta.

The speed and momentum caused the Jetta to careen nearly 200 feet down the road and the car’s engine went 436 feet.

The impact caused Squillace to lose control and hit a 2019 Hyundai Sonata and a 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck, as well.

As part of his conditions for release from jail, Broward Judge Corey Amanda Cawthon told Squillace not to drive.