Attorneys representing Jean Barretto, 26, a man who suffered severe burns over 75% of his body, want the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to take over an investigation of an incident that happened in late February.
Barretto was tackled by a Florida sheriff’s deputy at a Wawa gas station while refueling his motorcycle. The motorcycle tipped over and gas was spilled. The deputy deployed his taser and the state fire marshall confirms it was the taser that ignited a fire, which injured three deputies along with Barretto.
Osceola County deputies had followed Barretto into Orange County after a gathering of motorcyclists was broken up. Deputies say Barretto was pointing guns at cars, but Barretto’s attorneys say that he was unarmed at a non-violent gathering and was on his way home when he stopped to get gas.
Barretto was not expected to survive his injuries but has been hospitalized for 10 weeks, undergoing intense treatment to stay alive.
“While being cooked alive, Mr. Barreto sustained third-degree burns on approximately 75% of his body, front and back from his feet to the bottom of his neck,” the release said. “He is wrapped and unwrapped in gauze daily, bleeding profusely still as he doesn’t have the requisite amount of skin to contain his body fluids.”
Two other deputies received minor injuries, and a third deputy received third-degree burns.