Trending Now - Disabled Woman's Phone Ticket Dropped After Traffic Stop

WHO:

CBS News US - Kathleen Thomas, who is missing her right hand, spoke out about the viral traffic stop video.

TMZ - The woman involved is identified as Katie, an adaptive athlete.

NY Post - The traffic stop was conducted by a Florida police officer.

WHAT:

13wham.com - The traffic stop occurred on February 11 along North Dixie Highway in Lake Worth Beach.

13wham.com - The citation was for violating Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a), which is categorized as “Wireless Comm. Device/Handheld While Driving – First Offense,” carrying a $116 civil penalty.

13wham.com - The law prohibits manually typing or entering letters, numbers, or symbols into a wireless communications device while operating a vehicle.

13wham.com - The traffic citation was issued for violating Florida Statute 316.305(3)(a), which carries a $116 civil penalty.

13wham.com - The case was dismissed at the request of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy who issued the citation.

13wham.com - A hearing that was scheduled for May 27th was canceled after prosecutors dismissed the case.

TMZ - Katie was pulled over for holding a phone in her right hand, despite not having one.

NY Post - The charges against Katie were dropped due to a "lack of evidence."

NY Post - The officer asked Katie to put a "hand to God" that she hadn't been using her phone while driving.

WHERE:

TMZ - The incident occurred during a traffic stop in Florida.

WHY:

13wham.com - The incident has reignited debate over the enforcement of Florida’s distracted driving law and its specific prohibitions.

NY Post - The officer's action was based on the observation of Katie holding a phone while driving.

HOW:

13wham.com - The woman posted a video of the traffic stop on TikTok, which contributed to the widespread attention the case received.

NY Post - The officer's questioning involved asking Katie to affirm her statement with a "hand to God."

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 23:21 UTC)

Kathleen Thomas, who is missing her right hand, has spoken out about a viral traffic stop video that has sparked renewed debate over Florida's distracted driving law. The incident occurred on February 11 along North Dixie Highway in Lake Worth Beach, where she was cited for violating a statute that prohibits using a handheld wireless device while driving, carrying a civil penalty of $116. Thomas shared the video of the stop on TikTok, which helped it gain significant attention and prompted discussions about the enforcement of the law.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 19:51 UTC)

A traffic citation issued for violating Florida's distracted driving law, which carries a $116 civil penalty, has been dismissed at the request of the deputy who issued it. This case, which was set for a hearing on May 27, drew significant attention after the woman involved posted a video of the traffic stop on TikTok. The incident has sparked renewed debate over the enforcement of Florida's distracted driving law and its specific prohibitions.

(UPDATED May 28, 2026 18:03 UTC)

Katie, an adaptive athlete, was pulled over during a traffic stop in Florida after a police officer observed her holding a phone while driving, despite her claims that she wasn't using one. The charges against her were ultimately dropped due to a lack of evidence, following the officer's request for her to affirm her statement with a "hand to God." This incident has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding the traffic stop and the actions taken by law enforcement.