Seven West Palm Beach police officers turned themselves in last Tuesday on criminal charges tied to a fatal high-speed chase last summer that killed a pregnant woman and her mother, with three officers accused of fleeing the crash scene.
The July 30, 2024, pursuit began when Neoni Copeland, 23, refused to stop for a traffic violation. Surveillance footage shows officers chasing Copeland’s Kia Stinger at speeds exceeding 100 mph across city lines before he T-boned a Toyota Corolla in Boynton Beach, killing Marcia Pochette, 57, and her daughter Jenice Woods, 27, who was two months pregnant.
Officers Face Charges
The officers—Austin Danielovich, Pierre Etienne, and Christopher Rekdahl—were charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and official misconduct. Four others—Michael Borgen, William Loayza, Brandan Stedfelt, and Darien Thomas—face misconduct charges for allegedly violating pursuit policies.
State Attorney Alexcia Cox called their actions a “betrayal of the public trust” and vowed accountability.
Jenice’s father and Marcia’s husband, Junel Pochette, said the crash stole “two and a half lives”—his wife, daughter, and unborn grandchild. The family had been planning a pregnancy announcement weeks later.
Questions Over Police Conduct
Investigators found the chase—involving one marked and two unmarked cars—continued outside West Palm Beach’s jurisdiction, raising concerns over pursuit protocol.
Copeland, who fled on foot but was later arrested, faces charges including leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Community Outrage and Calls for Change
The tragedy has sparked outcry over intersection safety at North Congress Avenue and Meadows Boulevard, where locals say crashes are frequent.
The West Palm Beach Fraternal Order of Police pledged support for the officers while acknowledging that “lives forever changed.”
Mayor Keith James promised transparency, and former Police Chief Frank Adderley stressed letting the facts guide the investigation.
The victims’ loved ones and activists demand justice and reforms to prevent another tragedy.
