A Plano woman, who was pregnant and driving in the HOV lane, told police that her unborn child counted as a second person.
Brandy Bottone, 32, was driving in the HOV lane on U.S. Hwy 75 because she was running late to pick up her son. As she exited the high-occupancy lane, she was pulled over by a Sheriff’s Deputy.
The Deputy walked around her vehicle and asked her if it was just her in the car. Being 34 weeks pregnant, Bottone informed the officer that there were two people, her and her unborn daughter.
She explained that everything going on with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, her baby is a living child. However, the officer stated the law of legally using the HOV and said it had to be two people “outside the body.”
Bottone was issued a $275 citation.
Although Texas penal code recognizes a fetus as a person, the state’s transportation code doesn’t state the same.
She is planning on fighting the ticket at her upcoming court date on July 20.
