Cops: Woman Ran Sister-In-Law Over After Flirting Fight

PALM BAY, Fla.,None — A 31-year-old woman is facing charges of vehicular homicide after she ran over her sister-in-law following an argument that lead to a fight outside a local bar, Palm Bay police said. It all happened, investigators said, after one woman accused the other of flirting with a DJ.

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Betty Jo Fowler faces charges of vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and driving without a license as a result of the Monday morning incident. Fowler hung her head, hiding her face as she was led into the Palm Bay police station to be booked.

Just after 12:30am Monday, the victim, 39-year-old Teresa Fowler Straight, was arguing with Fowler over what she perceived to be "flirtatious" behavior with a DJ at the American Legion Post on Veterans Drive off of Malabar Road.

"They were playing pool. They were playing pool in the corner and doing karaoke," eyewitness Millie Donovan said.

Straight, who was with her boyfriend and her brother, began to fight with her brother's wife, Betty Jo Fowler , in the parking lot. Fowler then got into her Dodge Caravan and hit all three of them as she backed her vehicle out of the parking space.

"So, it appears, she was trying to defend her brother, who is married to the suspect," said Yvonne Martinez, Palm Bay police spokesperson.

All three were knocked to the ground. Police said Fowler then deliberately accelerated forward and ran over Straight as she fled the scene.

"She saw her laying on the ground, she accelerated and ran her over," Martinez said.

Police said it was caught on surveillance cameras, but they are not releasing because it is considered evidence.

Investigators said Straight was still alive when the two men she was with convinced Fowler, who had stopped a block away, to come back and pick them up.

"Not only did Ms. Fowler leave the scene, but the other individuals involved in this incident failed to obtain medical aid for the victim for more than 45 minutes," Traffic Homicide Investigator Jennifer Cordeau said.

Rather than call 911 or get help, police said they drove back to Fowler's home, where her four kids had been left alone, dropped her off and then took Straight to Palm Bay Hospital where she died from her injuries.

Police are considering charges against the two men who were involved in the incident. They said the three people made up a story and originally told police Straight was hit by another car.

The Department of Children and Families has been notified about the children being left home alone.

WFTV