Trial begins for Florida deputy accused of setting man on fire with Taser at Wawa

Trial begins for deputy in Wawa Taser fire

The trial of an Osceola County deputy accused of setting a man on fire during an incident at a gas station is underway in Orange County.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The trial of an Osceola County deputy accused of setting a man on fire during an incident at a gas station is underway in Orange County.

Deputy David Crawford faces misdemeanor charges of culpable negligence with personal injury after allegedly firing his Taser near a gas pump, igniting a fiery explosion that severely injured Jean Barreto-Baerga and another deputy.

The incident occurred after Osceola County deputies tracked Barreto-Baerga to a Wawa gas station in Orange County, accusing him of reckless driving on a motorcycle.

Prosecutors claim Crawford’s actions caused the explosion, which left Barreto-Baerga with burns over 75% of his body. He has since undergone extensive medical treatment costing millions of dollars.

Body camera video shows flames erupting during arrest

The Osceola County Sheriff's Office has released video from body cameras worn by deputies during an arrest attempt at a Wawa gas station in February.

"This defendant’s reckless actions resulted in a fiery explosion, essentially engulfing that pump and all of the surrounding area in flames," the prosecutor said during opening statements.