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Jenice Woods

Age : 27

Gender : Female

Race : Black

Date : 07/31/2024

Location : Unknown

City : Boynton Beach

County : Palm Beach

State : Florida

Agency : West Palm Beach Police Department

Officer(s) :Austin B. Danielovich, Pierre F. Etienne, Christopher C. Rekdahl, Michael E. Borgen, William L. Loayza, Brandan C. Stedfelt, Darien J. Thomas

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Pregnant bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 07/31/2024, officers with the West Palm Beach Police Department pursued a vehicle driven by Neoni Copeland through Palm Beach County. During the pursuit, Copeland drove into the intersection of North Congress Avenue and Meadows Boulevard in Boynton Beach and crashed into the vehicle carrying 27-year-old Jenice Woods and her mother, Marcia Pochette. Woods, who was approximately two months pregnant, her unborn child, and Pochette all died from their injuries.
The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office Public Corruption Unit investigated the pursuit. In June 2025, seven West Palm Beach police officers were criminally charged following the investigation. Officers Austin B. Danielovich, Pierre F. Etienne, and Christopher C. Rekdahl were each charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death and one count of official misconduct. Officers Michael E. Borgen, William L. Loayza, Brandan C. Stedfelt, and Darien J. Thomas were each charged with one count of official misconduct. Prosecutors alleged the pursuit violated department policy and that officers failed to stop and render aid after the fatal collision. All seven officers were subsequently terminated by the department while the criminal cases proceeded. Police were reluctant to answer questions, but the chase was reportedly done for someone having too dark window tint.
Woods' family publicly questioned why the pursuit had been initiated and called for accountability, saying they were still seeking answers about the decisions that led to the crash.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/boynton-beach/what-caused-the-chase-fatal-crash-after-police-pursuit-leaves-victims-family-seeking-answers
https://people.com/woman-and-mother-reportedly-killed-in-fla-crash-man-arrested-8689958
https://www.wptv.com/wptv-investigates/public-corruption-unit-investigating-wpb-officers-actions-leading-to-deadly-boynton-beach-crash