Tragedy struck in Houston, Texas, when 41-year-old Desire Pool, an African American mother, was fatally hit by a police patrol car on Sept. 19, in an incident captured on bodycam and dashcam footage.
Pool was crossing the street with her three children after stepping off a bus when she bent down to retrieve her bus pass.
At that moment, Officer Shelby Kennedy’s patrol car, reportedly transporting a detainee, struck her at full speed.
The heart-wrenching scene unfolded as Pool’s two daughters, aged 10 and 18, and her son watched helplessly. Her children narrowly avoided the vehicle but witnessed their mother’s fatal injuries.
“Mama, do not die on me,” one of her children pleaded, as they frantically called for help.
Though Officer Kennedy and her partner, Officer Joshua Rosales, provided immediate aid, Pool succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported to a hospital.
The Houston Police Department (HPD) stated that their preliminary investigation suggests the pedestrian failed to yield right of way and that speed was not a factor.
The release of bodycam footage just before Thanksgiving added to the family’s anguish, as they were not notified in advance.
Pool’s uncle, Lee Gordon, criticized the lack of communication and demanded justice for his niece while emphasizing the need for mental health support for her traumatized children.
“She leaves behind three children who saw their mother mowed down in front of them. They’re having nightmares,” Gordon said. The family is urging accountability from HPD as the investigation continues.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about police accountability and its impact on affected communities, underscoring the devastating ripple effects of such tragedies on families and children.
