A man who burst into flames after being tackled and taped by officers near a gas pump at a Wawa gas station is accused of “escalating a minor crime into a violent and deadly incident,” according to the Central Florida Sheriff’s Office. There is an agency-wide culture of encouraging people to do things.
Osceola County Sheriff Marcos R. Lopez is accused of fostering this culture, which resulted in the unfair pursuit of Deputy Jean Barreto Baerga on February 27, 2022. Baerga suffered severe burns covering 75% of his body, according to a new report, according to a federal lawsuit.
According to a complaint filed Wednesday, Barretto-Baerga was mistaken for a motorcycle rider accused of aggravated assault after Lopez publicly promised to “crack down” on street bikers. The suspect was then pursued by Osceola County sheriff’s deputies and a helicopter unit, according to the complaint.
According to the complaint, investigators were told during the chase that Barret-Baerga did not fit the suspect’s description, but they continued to follow him to a Wawa gas station, where he stopped to refuel his motorcycle. It is said that Wawa was outside the jurisdiction of lawmakers.
At the Wawa, Deputy David Crawford tackled Barrett-Baerga from behind at the pumps, and then the deputies began repeatedly taping Barrett-Baerga while he was pinned to the ground, according to the complaint.
That’s when gasoline leaked from his motorcycle and began to pool around Barrett-Baerga, the complaint states.
According to the complaint, Crawford warned Barrett-Baerga that he would tape her again, even though there was “gasoline in close proximity to (Barrett-Baerga’s body).”
Crawford then taped him and “immediately ignited the gas,” causing an explosion that engulfed Barrett-Baerga in flames, the complaint says.
Barrett-Baerga required emergency treatment for second- and third-degree burns, which resulted in her spending a year in intensive care, according to the complaint.
“For several months after the burns, (Barrett-Baerga) lost most of the skin on his body,” the complaint states.
Now, Barreto-Baerga is suing Lopez, Crawford and other sheriff’s deputies involved in the incident, including constitutional violations, assault and battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
“It is impossible to describe who I am today compared to the person who was riding the motorcycle that day,” Barrett-Baerga said in a news release about the lawsuit. “Horseback riding has always been my hobby. This has changed my life, work and relationships, and I am struggling to figure out what my future holds.”
The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to McClatchy News’ request for comment Friday.
Jury finds deputy not guilty
According to a report from WKMG-TV, Crawford was charged criminally in the encounter with Barrett-Baerga.
In November, a jury found him not responsible for the incident, the TV station said.
During the trial, State’s Attorney Ryan Williams said, “Crawford picked up the weapon, transferred it to his dominant hand, and said he intended to use it.”The overwhelming evidence was that Crawford fired the Taser and shot the gun.” – Indicating that Barrett was injured,” WKMG-TV reported.
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Crawford testified that the Taser accidentally went off and that Barrett-Baerga was resisting arrest, the television station said.
“I remember that nightmare every day.”
After Barreto-Baerga arrived at the hospital with severe burns, her parents were told her chances of survival were slim, according to the lawsuit.
Barreto-Baerga’s body rejected cadaveric skin grafts, so medical staff performed the “first-ever skin culture expansion procedure” while Barreto-Baerga was in a medically induced coma, according to the complaint. That’s what it means.
This procedure saved his life.
For several months after suffering the burns, Barreto-Baerga’s body “bleed profusely as gauze was wrapped and removed every day,” the lawsuit states.
Besides Crawford, no other deputies involved in Barrett-Baerga’s arrest at the Wawa were disciplined, according to the complaint.
“While the actions and decision-making of Osceola County deputies during their encounter with Jean Barreto were despicable, they were also an unmistakable reflection of their training and direction from Sheriff Marcos Lopez.” said attorney Antonio M. Romanucci, who represents Barreto Baerga. said in a statement.
“The department’s culture encourages deputies to use excessive and unreasonable force, emphasizes masculinity over reasonable enforcement, and ultimately puts the public at risk instead of protecting and serving community members.” It was very revealing.”
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and requests a jury trial.
“I feel very alone and in constant physical pain,” Barrett-Baerga said in a statement. “Everything changed that day. I remember that nightmare every day.”
