After Traffic Stop for Phone in Right Hand, She Called Out the Problem
The New York Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A Florida sheriff’s deputy stopped Kathleen Thomas for allegedly holding a cellphone while driving, but she showed she has no right hand and was not holding a phone.
- Body camera footage of the encounter, released after Ms. Thomas obtained and shared it on social media, shows the deputy initially insisting he saw a phone despite her demonstration.
- The deputy later requested the dismissal of the citation, and Ms. Thomas was scheduled to appear in court, where the citation was dropped.
- The incident sparked social media attention and scrutiny of the traffic stop, with the sheriff’s department stating motorists have the right to contest citations but offering no further explanation.
- Ms. Thomas shared a follow-up video online to announce the dismissal of the citation after the court hearing.