Rickea Jackson, a forward for the Los Angeles Sparks, filed a petition for protection against her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr., stating she is in fear for her life. According to court documents obtained by ESPN, Jackson told the court that without legal intervention, she believes "James will kill me."

The filing follows a Feb. 7 incident in Doral, Florida, that led to the arrest of Pearce on multiple felony charges. Jackson, who is entering her third season in the WNBA, detailed a confrontation where Pearce allegedly followed her vehicle and attempted to block her at a traffic light. She told the court that Pearce jumped on top of her car and tried to enter the vehicle. Jackson stated that as she drove toward a police station, Pearce chased her at high speeds and repeatedly struck her car with his own to force a spin-out.

Upon reaching the police station, Jackson flagged down an officer. The petition states that Pearce rammed Jackson's car again in the presence of the officer. According to the initial incident report, Pearce then struck a police officer with his vehicle before crashing and attempting to flee on foot.

Pearce, 22, faces five felony counts, including two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, fleeing and eluding police, and aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer. He also faces a misdemeanor count of resisting an officer and several traffic citations.

Jackson, 24, alleged in the petition that the abuse escalated after she attempted to end the relationship in January. She claimed Pearce offered her "up to $75,000" to visit him and "$200,000 to remain in a relationship with him" in the hours before the Feb. 7 encounter. She also described a previous confrontation where Pearce allegedly pulled her hair and took her cellphone.

The court granted the initial request for protection, ordering Pearce to stay at least 500 feet away from Jackson’s home and place of employment. A permanent injunction hearing is scheduled for April 21.