Traffic Stop Turns Deadly, Family Reacts – blogged by @MsJennyb

The consequences of attempting to flee from a traffic stop with a Florida Highway patrol officer were deadly for 24-year-old Doll Pierre-Louis, according to CBS Miami. 

Pierre-Louis and his girlfriend were driving a red Nissan Altima when they pulled up to an intersection. At the intersection Pierre-Louis bumps the car in front of him. This led Florida Highway Patrol trooper Misael Diaz to confront the couple. 

Diaz pulled his motorcycle alongside the Altima, hopped off, and stood in front of the vehicle with one hand on the hood. Allegedly frazzled, Pierre-Louis inched forward and reversed, in an attempt to flee. It was later reported that the driver was operating the vehicle without a valid driver’s license, which probably prompted his getaway. However, once Pierre-Louis tried to back up, the trooper jumped on the hood and held on. As the driver attempted a U-turn, Diaz was then flung from the hood. 

At some point between Diaz’ police acrobatics, he fired through the front windshield of the car. A spokesperson claimed he shot as a result of the officer fearing for his life. The driver was hit three times, twice in the arm and once in the chest. He completed the U-turn as the officer was flung from the hood and drove for eight blocks until he lost control and slammed into an SUV. 

Pierre-Louis was pronounced dead when the paramedics arrived. Girlfriend, Markisha Fenelon suffered from a broken ankle and was hospitalized.

A nearby gas station surveillance camera caught the incident on video. As the video circulated, Pierre-Louis’ family and friends reacted and responded with surprise and anger, wondering why the officer jumped on the hood in the first place. 

Fritz Simon, Fenelon’s uncle, shared the young woman’s last moments with her boyfriend, “When the guy jumped on the hood with the gun, it froze her,” said Simon. “As (Pierre-Louis) was driving, I guess he told her he was going into shock. Told her he loved her, whatever, crash.” 

The family has since retained an attorney.