Police arrest man for killing mom, causing boy's leg amputation

27-year-old man was high when he hit pedestrians, police say

OAKLAND PARK, Fla. – One second 14-year-old Jameson Etienne was walking along with his mom. And the next he found himself in pain pinned under a car. He lost his left leg and his mom.

Jameson and his mom were on the sidewalk, when Joel Hamlar lost control of his sports utility vehicle and ran over them. Jameson's mom, Deborah Etienne, 55, died from her injuries

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Instead of helping the boy, Hamlar walked away, Broward Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said. 

When deputies found him nearby, he told them he was driving on his way home from South Beach and "was exhausted from a three-day weekend,"  according to a police report

Police said Hamlar killed Etienne about 9:30 a.m. on March 7th along North Dixie Highway near Northweast 56 Street. His car struck them with such force that it knocked down a utility pole and sent their belongings flying to the street. 

 

The 27-year-old driver admitted to smoking marijuana and his license was suspended, according to deputies. He provided a blood sample for testing. But aside from cannabinoids, the toxicology results later returned positive for amphetamine, methamphetamine, ketamine and norketamine. 

 

BSO traffic homicide detectives arrested him Aug. 25th.  He faces charges of vehicular homicide, and several counts of driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and several counts of reckless driving. 

 


About the Author:

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.