A Florida man renowned for his work with venomous reptiles died Friday, August 7, 2026, after being hit by a car on State Route 266 in Arizona while stopped to view a snake with a friend from childhood. Ed Cassano, 81, was fatally struck around 7:32 p.m. near milepost 118, approximately 32 miles southwest of Safford, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Ricky Finch, 57, of Safford, Ariz., surrendered to authorities three days following the collision. Deputies apprehended him at a home on West Chastain Lane in Graham County, Ariz. Finch now faces a felony count for fleeing an accident that resulted in a fatality.
Wildlife Professional Remembers His Mentor
Rhett Stanberry, who works for Florida state authorities removing invasive pythons and extracting venomous snakes and runs a nonprofit wildlife rescue with his wife, first encountered Cassano about 15 years ago. Stanberry credits the older naturalist with transforming his entire career path and personal direction. Cassano assisted Stanberry in obtaining his venomous snake handling license in Florida, instructed him in wildlife photography techniques, and brought him herping beyond Florida’s borders for the first time during a 2013 Arizona expedition.
“He was probably the single most caring and compassionate person towards wildlife that I’ve ever known in my entire life,” Stanberry said.
Stanberry described Cassano as the closest friend he ever had, a guiding influence, and a paternal presence he could rely on completely. The older man, he said, transformed the direction of his entire life.
National Recognition and a Lifetime With Reptiles
Cassano gained widespread recognition through his 2010 appearance on “Fatal Attractions,” an Animal Planet documentary series examining individuals who kept exotic and dangerous animals in their residences. The Florida resident shared his home with 40 snakes. He discussed how his work with dangerous reptiles remained thrilling throughout the decades, noting that stepping into an enclosure housing venomous snakes still provided a rush of adrenaline.
Devoted to what enthusiasts call “herping”—the pursuit of reptiles and amphibians—Cassano spent decades tracking down specimens throughout North America’s most remote regions. His international travels included journeys to Costa Rica in search of vipers. During Arizona field trips, he would photograph dozens of western diamondback rattlesnakes during single outings, meticulously recording each encounter. Without a smartphone, he maintained handwritten logs containing GPS coordinates of every location he visited.
His reptile collection was notable both for its variety and the longevity of care he provided. Cassano maintained custody of every animal for its entire lifespan, including a ball python that Stanberry said had been in his care for six decades. According to Stanberry, Cassano housed some of the most remarkable venomous snake specimens imaginable, both in size and quality.
The Night of the Collision
Cassano and a childhood friend had pulled over to observe a snake when the collision occurred. Deputies arrived approximately 20 minutes after the 7:32 p.m. incident and determined Cassano had died at the scene. A passing motorist reported heavy lightning in the area that evening. Authorities say Finch fled in a white Ford Fusion.
Finch contacted law enforcement around 7 p.m. on August 10, telling dispatchers where he could be found: behind a home on West Chastain Lane, beside his white Ford Fusion. Officers arrested him there and seized the vehicle for investigation.
Family and Cherished Companions
Cassano, a father of two daughters, is survived by Jeanette and Annmarie. Stanberry remembered Cassano’s devotion to his daughters, describing him as a proud “girl dad.” He is also survived by siblings Denise Gomez and Robert Gomez.
Despite his extensive reptile collection, Stanberry noted that Cassano’s most beloved animals were his Airedale Terriers.
Before his death, Cassano made provisions for his animals’ futures. He drafted a will designating recipients for each creature, and Stanberry will receive many from the collection—an appropriate legacy for a relationship founded on mutual respect for nature.
Continuing the Work
Stanberry plans to continue the conservation efforts Cassano encouraged, including future expeditions to Arizona’s deserts where they spent time together. Cassano felt particularly drawn to the arid terrain of southeastern Arizona, visiting the region many times to search for the western diamondback rattlesnakes and other reptiles native to that habitat.
A man who navigated the dangers of working with venomous species throughout his eight decades ultimately met his end not from the creatures he handled with such expertise, but from an unforeseen roadside tragedy while pursuing the passion that defined him.