Photo: Laurel Police Department
A 28-year-old woman, Kai DeBerry-Bostick, faces assault charges after driving through a crowded street fair in Laurel, Maryland, on Saturday (May 10). DeBerry-Bostick removed a police barricade and hit an officer with her car in an attempt to get to work in Virginia.
The incident occurred at the Main Street Festival, where DeBerry-Bostick, driving a BMW, was caught on police bodycam footage insisting she needed to leave. Despite an officer offering to call her a taxi, DeBerry-Bostick refused, stating, "I need to get out, I gotta go." She proceeded to tear down the yellow police tape and drove onto Main Street, narrowly missing pedestrians, including a man pushing a stroller.
The officer sustained minor injuries, but no festival-goers were harmed. DeBerry-Bostick was eventually pulled from her car and arrested. She now faces charges of second-degree assault, resisting arrest, and traffic violations.
The chaotic event followed a propane tank explosion earlier that morning, which injured a vendor and led to the cancellation of the festival's parade. Despite the disruptions, Laurel Police commended their quick response in preventing further harm.
The department shared body camera video of the incident on Facebook, which can be watched below: