Florida Traffic Stop Raises Questions After Woman With No Right Hand Pulled Over

In February, a traffic enforcement incident occurred in Lake Worth Beach, Florida. A sheriff’s deputy pulled over Kathleen Thomas, a 36-year-old woman, for reportedly holding a cellphone in her right hand while driving.

Upon approaching the vehicle, the deputy began to explain the reason for the stop. Ms. Thomas, however, raised her right arm to reveal the impossibility of the claim. She has no right hand, and thus was unable to hold a phone in it.

The encounter, captured in body camera footage, shows Ms. Thomas humorously addressing the confusion. “So obviously not,” she remarked while laughing. She later obtained the video and posted it on social media, where it quickly gained attention.

A court hearing was scheduled, but the deputy requested the citation be dismissed, as per court records. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office released a statement through spokeswoman Teri Barbera. It emphasized motorists’ rights to contest citations judicially, underlining that all facts would be evaluated.

“As with any enforcement action, motorists have the right to contest citations through the judicial process, where all facts and evidence can be fully evaluated,” Barbera stated.

The video of the traffic stop captured further interaction. Ms. Thomas humorously suggested ending the day’s events. Despite this, the deputy insisted he saw a phone. Ms. Thomas showed her right arm again, stressing the error.

At one moment, the deputy sought validation, asking, “Hand to God, you did not have your phone in your hand?” Ms. Thomas demonstrated the absence of the phone once more.

The situation resolved with the deputy requesting the citation be canceled due to a lack of evidence. Post-hearing, Ms. Thomas shared another video online, cheekily noting they already knew the outcome.

Ms. Thomas, an adaptive athlete born with part of her arm missing, expressed hope that the officer might learn from the incident. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is reviewing the deputy’s actions in this matter.

Journalistic contributions to this report were made by Alain Delaquérière.