#FloridaMan protestor’s collision with Collier County Deputy caught on film
A protestor’s collision with a Collier County deputy during a peaceful protest at the Collier County courthouse was caught on film Monday.
NBC-2.com WBBH News for Fort Myers, Cape Coral & Naples, Florida
By all accounts, the protests in Collier County were peaceful on Monday.
Maria Pereyra took part in Monday’s protest at the Collier County Courthouse and spoke to NBC2 News, saying “things had been peaceful protestors were walking in the street heading towards downtown Naples when deputies arrested two people as they tried to guide the group to the sidewalk.
That’s when a protester was seen running towards an arrestee.
‘She told me she was just trying to check in on him. It wasn’t to interfere with the arrest or anything — she just wanted to make sure her friend was OK,’ Pereyra said.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy never put his hands on her and said he lowered his shoulder to prevent her from running further into an arrest situation.
Maria says ‘watching it was horrifying. It was an anxiety inducing situation. I heard her head crack on the ground. I thought she was at the very least concussed.’
FGCU forensic studies professor David Thomas said there wasn’t much the deputy could do because he was carrying a rifle.
‘It’s more complex because now you have the rifle that is intermingled with the struggle. So rather than that, it’s easier to lay your shoulder down, or if he could’ve stuck out his arm and done a stiff-arm, I think the result is going to be the same.’
The woman from the video was not arrested. The sheriff praised law enforcement’s professionalism throughout the protest.”
Later that night, a video was taken showing a Collier County deputy standing united with those protesting:
youtube.com/watch?v=9VJh3Eh8W90
(SOURCE: NBC2 News)
