Michael Fleurizard, man accused of hitting two Jupiter officers before chase, given $319,000 bond

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The former Dwyer High School football standout who is accused of hitting two Jupiter police officers on Friday morning with his car was given a $319,000 bond by a judge Monday morning.

Michael Fleurizard, 20, appeared in court on Saturday for charges of aggravated battery on an officer and drug possession. His first appearance was delayed to give prosecutors time to review the charges.

Jupiter Police said they discovered Fleurizard stopped at a traffic signal early Friday morning. Investigators said when officers approached the car and began investigating, Fleurizard drove away -- hitting the officers with his car as he fled.

Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Ted S. Booras said he considered Fleurizard a “flight risk” and added that he had viewed the dash cam video Jupiter Police provided of the incident.

Fleurizard's sister, Brittany Fleurizard, spoke exclusively to NewsChannel 5 and said she feels her brother is being misunderstood.

"I feel like they shouldn't even have been in his car at all. I feel like he was startled. I feel like you if that was me or anyone else and I wake and someone unfamiliar is in my car I would be startled too, I would be scared," Brittany said.

Brittany Fleurizard said her brother has been trying to get back on track after getting into trouble with the law while attending Marshall University in West Virginia. She said her brother has been working to get back to school to play sports.

"Anybody who knows him knows that he's a very good kid and he's not like that. But things do happen, mistakes happen," Brittany said.

Fleurizard's former coach at Dwyer High School, Coach Jack Daniels, said he was trying to help his former lineman return to form.

Daniels said when Fleurizard came to him recently for help, he seemed remorseful. Daniels said he decided to get his former player to a camp and help him meet with coaches.

"Thought he had a second chance and turns out from what I'm hearing and what I'm seeing is that he's lying," said Daniels.

Daniels said it is frustrating and feel bad for Fleurizard's family who he said has always been there for him.

"He's different kid and he always has been, and I don't know, he's not going to make it," said Daniels.