A woman is calling for justice after she claims her cousin was critically injured when a Baton Rouge police officer allegedly hit him with a patrol car.
The victim, identified as Dwayne Washington, also known as “Dee Dee”, is reportedly on life support with severe injuries.
In a viral Instagram video, Kayla R.K. Cherie described the alleged incident, which she says took place around 1 a.m. in a residential area of Baton Rouge.
According to her, Washington was riding his bicycle when an officer, who was not responding to an emergency call, struck him at high speed.
“What was left of the bike looked like the front tire and just the handlebars. So the bike was pretty much split in half,” she said. “My cousin is in critical condition in the ICU, fighting for his life.”
Cherie’s emotional plea has gained traction on social media, with many demanding accountability from the Baton Rouge Police Department (BRPD).
“Let’s pull up to the police station,” one person commented.
Cherie also expressed frustration over the lack of media coverage and official response from authorities.
“The news stations and different networks in Baton Rouge have chosen not to report on this story,” she claimed. “And so that’s why I’m here—to bring awareness so that we can get justice for Dee Dee.”
ShineMyCrown.com cannot independently confirm the details of the allegations but is covering the story in the interest of public awareness, especially in light of the lack of response from officials.
Baton Rouge Police Department’s Controversial History
Cherie pointed to BRPD’s history of alleged police brutality, referencing past incidents, including the fatal 2016 police shooting of Alton Sterling and recent reports of the department’s now-defunct “Brave Cave,” where officers were accused of physically abusing detainees.
She also mentioned a personal family history with BRPD, alleging that another relative was intentionally struck by a patrol car in 2009.
“These are the people that you believe will keep our streets safe?” she asked. “Yet they are out here slamming into people who are minding their business.”
Demands for Justice
Cherie called on the mayor and other city officials to address the allegations, criticizing a recent push to cut public library funding in favor of additional police resources.
“My cousin deserves justice, and the truth needs to come out,” she said. “We are hoping and praying that my cousin makes a full and speedy recovery.”
She urged social media users to help spread awareness because there is power in a collective action that holds law enforcement accountable.
“Please share this, bring attention to this,” she pleaded. “We will continue making noise.”
As of now, BRPD has not released a public statement on the incident.
