JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A day after a man was hit by a driver who crashed his car into a convenience store, News4Jax is hearing from the man hit, who said he was targeted.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash Friday afternoon at Royal Food Store on Atlantic Boulevard in the Regency area. They said the driver left the scene, but was caught and taken into custody.
Police said it wasn't clear if the crash was an accident or intentional, but Lewis Wright, the victim, said the driver threatened to take his life.
News4Jax spoke to the man who was hit at the front doors of the store.
"He said, 'F you, I’m going to kill you,' slammed on the gas and turned the wheel to the right, hit me, which put the vehicle through the store," Wright said.
Wright said he was at the center of the dispute that caused the driver to try and run him over.
Wright was standing at the doorway when the driver accelerated toward him. That's when he tried to jump out of the way, but got pinned between a shelf inside and the hood of the car while other people in the store ran for cover.
"I didn't know what to do from there. I tried to step outside to get some air and collapsed by the gas pumps," Wright said.
Wright said he knows the man who he says attempted to kill him. He told News4Jax he has been in verbal arguments with the man before, but he never thought it would escalate to this.
"I can barely walk on my right leg," Wright said. "I have bruises all up and down."
Wright said he didn't have any broken bones, but he wants the man who tried to take his life held responsible for his actions.
"I'm thankful to God that I'm here today without being paralyzed," Wright said.
Wright said he's waiting for police to get back to him about the charges the driver will face. Police have not released the driver's identity.