A Florida woman went viral after receiving a traffic citation for allegedly holding a phone in her right hand—despite being born without one. On Tuesday, the adaptive athlete, known online as Katie, shared an update on the case, including newly released bodycam footage from the officer who issued the ticket. She also said she planned to appear at the Palm Beach County Courthouse to contest the citation.
[Update: According to CBS12, the citation issued to the Florida woman who was stopped for allegedly holding a phone while driving has been dismissed. Court records confirm the case was dropped after the incident—and the viral bodycam footage—drew widespread public attention. The case gained traction online after the driver, who was born without a right hand, challenged the ticket in court. Original story below.]
In the new video, Katie offers additional context about the incident, explaining what has happened since the traffic stop and sharing new details about the case. Filming from what appears to be her vehicle, she says, “So we have court tomorrow for driving with a device in our right hand,” while holding up her right arm, which ends below the wrist. “But, they just sent me the bodycam footage, so I thought you guys might like a little treat before tomorrow.”
The video then cuts to bodycam footage showing the officer exiting his patrol vehicle and approaching Katie’s car, which had been pulled over in front of him. After greeting her and explaining the reason for the stop, he can clearly be heard saying, “You drove past me holding the phone with your right hand, manipulating the phone.” Katie then raises her right arm, seemingly to show the officer that she does not have a right hand, before laughing.
Smiling, she responds, “So you wanna just call this a day?” The officer, however, continues the stop, saying, “I don’t wanna call it a day. You had a hand up, manipulating a phone.” Confused, Katie clarifies, “You just said my right hand. So you didn’t. But you didn’t see me with my right hand.”
The officer continues, saying, “I know what I just said. I’m asking you now: did you or not have your phone in your hand?” Katie replies, “I did not.” When asked to swear “hand to God” that she wasn’t holding her phone, she does so, raising both her right arm and left hand to emphasize her point. The officer then asks for her driver’s license, at which point the footage ends.
Social Media Users Are Outraged Because the Officer Doubled Down
The video has sparked widespread discussion online, with many users expressing support for Katie and debating the officer’s handling of the stop.
“The ego. Why couldn’t he just apologize and let her go?”
“Do you want to call it a day?” I love her for this.”
“She is going to win this case single-handedly 😂😂😂😉”
“Sir, it’s okay to be wrong – signed another officer.”
The viral traffic stop continues to draw widespread attention online as discussions unfold across social media platforms. Later today, Katie is expected to appear at the Palm Beach County Courthouse, where the case will proceed in court following the citation and subsequent public response to the incident.
