KISSIMMEE, Fla. – A man in Osceola County is recovering, weeks after deputies said he was run over by a vehicle in a case of road rage.
The victim, Anthony Cruz, told News 6 that he had just pulled into the parking lot of his work at the Cracker Barrel on Irlo Bronson Highway in Kissimmee on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 19, when the incident happened. Cruz said he realized he might have pulled in front of another vehicle. When he parked, he noticed the same white Nissan Versa pulled behind his car.
"Next thing you know, I park and I see him right behind me again, so I'm thinking he's going to back into a parking spot," Cruz said.
Cruz said he got out of the vehicle and the male driver of the Nissan Versa accelerated toward him.
"I proceed to exit the vehicle (and) took about two steps maybe from the door handle and he proceeded to floor his vehicle right at me," Cruz said.
Surveillance video from Cracker Barrel shows the white Nissan going completely over Cruz.
"From there, I went under the tires and (he) proceeded to run me over," Cruz said. "(He) dragged me about 10 to 15 feet."
Cruz is seen on the video lying on the ground for more than three minutes before someone walking by heard his calls for help.
Cruz said he's had three surgeries for several pelvic fractures, a punctured lung and nine broken ribs. He said he spent 14 days in the hospital.
Cruz has set up this fundraising page to help with his medical bills because he does not have insurance.
Fighting through his daily pain of recovery, Cruz said he wants the driver to be caught.
"I just want justice," he told News 6. "This guy almost killed me and took my life. At the end of the day, it's scary to know that there's people out there that can actually do this kind of stuff and get away with it sometimes."
The driver is described as a white man between 40 and 50 years old who weighs about 210 to 225 pounds.
The white Nissan Versa had tinted windows and a light blue tint strip on the front windshield.
Anyone with information can call the Osceola County Sheriff's Office at 407-348-2222 or can remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 by calling Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.