Body cam footage shows moments before Osceola County Wawa tasing fire
WARNING: The bodycam footage above may be disturbing to some viewers and is graphic
WESH 2 obtained bodycam video from a fiery confrontation involving Osceola County sheriff's deputies.
A motorcyclist accused of riding recklessly caught on fire when police tased him near a gas pump.
The video shows the motorcyclist, 26-year-old Jean Baretto, on the ground as he's being arrested and the moments prior to the fire caused by the Taser.
Osceola Sheriff Marcos Lopez said this week that Osceola County sheriff's deputy David Crawford will be charged in the incident.
"He was aware there was gas in the immediate area, he says 'kill the pump, there's gas,' he then grabbed a discarded taser and told the suspect, 'you're about to get tased again dude,'" Lopez said. "His actions were reckless and the disregard for life rises to the level of culpable negligence."
Crawford will be placed on paid leave.
The sheriff says he’s keeping the injured rider in his thoughts but says he must enforce the laws.
Lopez said the department's investigation concludes Baretto should be charged with fleeing and attempting to elude law enforcement, reckless driving and resisting without violence.
Attorneys for Baretto claim he never committed a crime and is now living in daily extreme pain and fighting for his life.
Mark NeJame and attorney Albert Yonfa now represent Barreto who they say initially was not expected to survive and has been hospitalized for 80 days with third-degree burns over 75% of his body.
NeJame went on to say that Lopez now coming out with charges is an attempt to "detract from his and his department's culpability, liability, and responsibility."
"If he does choose to bring these false criminal charges, they will be considered retaliatory, unjustified, and vindictive," he said.