Video Shows Woman Run Over Sister-In-Law

PALM BAY, Fla.,None — Video obtained by WFTV shows a Palm Bay woman running over her sister-in-law. Police say she did it intentionally because she was mad at her sister-in-law for flirting with a DJ.

Last month, Betty Jo Fowler was charged with second-degree murder because her sister-in-law died. The video may be the most important evidence prosecutors have.

The surveillance camera captured the entire incident, including the victim lying in agony while the people around her did everything but call for help. It was just after 12:30am when the fight between Betty Jo Fowler and her sister-in-law, Theresa Straight, spilled into the parking lot behind the American Legion in Palm Bay.

Betty Jo's husband, Lonnie Fowler, the victim, Theresa Straight, and Straight's boyfriend, Kevin Curtis, chased after Betty Jo as she got into a minivan just out of view. When Betty Jo put it in reverse, she knocked all three to the ground.

But then Fowler drove forward over Theresa Straight, also hitting one of the men. When the two men regained their senses, they leaned over Theresa Straight and eventually tried to help her up.

For nearly ten minutes, the men paced, made cell phone calls and appeared to try to comfort the woman. But, rather than call for an ambulance, they convinced Betty Jo Fowler to come back.

The three then struggled trying to get the severely injured woman into the van that just ran her over. Instead of taking her immediately to the emergency room, they drove her to her home first. By the time she made it the emergency room, it was too late; Theresa Straight died from her injuries.

Betty Jo Fowler is now awaiting trial on second degree murder charges along with charges of driving without a license and leaving the scene of a crash with injuries. Police say, even after they drove the woman to the hospital, they lied about what happened, telling doctors and nurses there that she was run over by an unknown driver, but video shows they knew who it was.

Two other people are facing charges in this crime for lying to police. Lonnie Fowler is the suspect's husband. Police say he told them an unknown driver ran over his sister. Kevin Curtis, who was the victim's boyfriend, also told police a stranger ran her over.

WFTV