In a recent incident in Platte County, Missouri, Jennifer Bertrand, an HGTV interior designer, has been accused of striking a school staff member with her Porsche after allegedly cutting the student pickup line.
The incident occurred on August 20, 2024, at a local high school.
Incident Details
According to court documents filed by the Platte County Prosecutor’s Office, Bertrand faces a second-degree harassment charge stemming from the August incident. A warrant for her arrest was issued on January 31, 2025, with a $15,000 cash-only bond.
The probable cause statement, provided by Platte County Sheriff’s Deputy Karl Lostroh, who was serving as a school resource officer at the time, details the following:
- Around 3 p.m., a school staff member, acting as a traffic controller and wearing a high-visibility safety vest, observed a black Porsche sedan bypassing the designated car rider line, nearly colliding with another vehicle attempting to exit the parking lot.
- The staff member approached the driver, identified as Bertrand, and informed her that she needed to wait in line like other parents. Bertrand reportedly responded that she needed to pick up her child for an appointment.
- After being instructed again to join the back of the line, Bertrand allegedly drove forward, striking the staff member’s right leg, causing him to lose balance but not sustain injuries. When told to stop, Bertrand purportedly laughed, argued, and remarked, “Don’t act like I hit you,” and “I’ll see you in court,” before moving forward and striking his leg a second time.
Surveillance footage reviewed by Deputy Lostroh corroborated the staff member’s account, showing the black Porsche maneuvering around the line and advancing toward the staff member twice, making contact both times.
Jennifer Bertrand’s Background
Jennifer Bertrand, based in Weatherby Lake, Missouri, gained prominence after winning season three of HGTV’s “Design Star” in 2008. She subsequently hosted HGTV’s “Paint Over” and has been featured on Lifetime’s “Military Makeover.”
Legal Proceedings
As of now, a court date for Bertrand has not been scheduled. The charge of second-degree harassment in Missouri is a Class A misdemeanor, which can result in penalties including fines and potential jail time upon conviction.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | August 20, 2024 |
| Location | Platte County High School, Missouri |
| Time | Approximately 3 p.m. |
| Accused | Jennifer Bertrand |
| Vehicle Involved | Black Porsche sedan |
| Charge | Second-degree harassment |
| Bond | $15,000 cash-only |
| Arrest Warrant Issued | January 31, 2025 |
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to school traffic protocols and treating school staff with respect.
As the legal process unfolds, it will provide further clarity on the circumstances surrounding the event and any subsequent legal consequences for Bertrand.
