Nationwide — Desire Pool, a 41-year-old African American mother from Houston, Texas, tragically died after being hit by a police car on September 19. Bodycam footage released before Thanksgiving shows the heartbreaking moment as her children watched in horror.
The crash occurred around 9:52 p.m. when Officer Shelby Kennedy’s patrol car, transporting a suspect to jail, struck Pool at full speed. Her two daughters, ages 10 and 18, and son Jaylen had just crossed the street with her. Her children managed to avoid the car.
Footage from the scene shows a frantic exchange between Officer Kennedy and her partner, Officer Joshua Rosales, who immediately rushed to provide aid.
The children, devastated and screaming, begged for their mother to survive. One of them pleaded with her, “Mama, do not die on me.” Pool’s son repeatedly shouted for someone to call 911.
The officers managed to stabilize Pool momentarily before paramedics arrived, but she was later declared dead. Houston Police Department (HPD) has since stated that they are investigating the crash, but they have maintained that the officers did nothing wrong.
“A preliminary investigation indicates that speed is not believed to be a factor in the crash and that the pedestrian failed to yield right of way to a vehicle,” HPD said.
Moreover, Pool’s family expressed frustration over not being informed before the video was released. Her uncle, Lee Gordon demands accountability and calls for justice and mental health support for her grieving children.
“Her two children saw their mother get mowed down in the street. They’re having nightmares. We’re trying our best to get them mental health care so we can get them back to normal,” he said.
