Hit-and-run victim worked in Jacksonville congresswoman's office

Congresswoman Corrine Brown: Victim recovering, able to talk

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The man who was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Southside Boulevard on Wednesday night was 30-year-old Joseph Bastian -- a Jacksonville native who used to work in U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown's office in Washington D.C.

"I'm very concerned I don't know the status of Joseph," said Brown. "I understand he's in intensive care as we speak, we're going in to see him."

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Channel 4 met up with Brown outside of Shands hospital Thursday night as she was going to visit Bastian.  While Bastian is listed in serious condition, Brown said he is doing well enough to talk on the phone.

Joseph Bastian (right) worked in Washington, D.C with Rep. Corrinne Brown on some of her mentoring programs. He recently posed for this photo with Mayor Alvin Brown and the congresswoman.

"He called my office today and he also called last night saying he was in an accident," said Brown. "He views us as family."

Brown said she's grateful for the good Samaritan, John Avery, who followed the suspect, 26-year-old Tracy Isbell, and held him at gunpoint until police arrived.

"I understand a community person was able to stop and hold him until police so that was really a good thing," said Brown.

As the congresswoman finds herself in the middle of Washington's gun debate, we asked her to weigh in, a citizen used their second amendment rights to help police catch a suspect.

"It depends on the circumstances where you need a gun, but you don't need a machine gun," said Brown. "You don't need to out-man a police officer, but there are situations where you need a gun. I'm not against guns, but it needs to be balanced with common sense."