A Florida man survived a stunning car crash after authorities said he was ‘intentionally’ hit by a driver who smashed through the entrance of a gas station where the man was standing.
As reported by Florida Jolt, a man was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after Anthony Katosh, 37, crashed his Kia Forte into the back of the man as he was entering a Travel Centers of America gas station in Seffner, Florida. The crash took place at around 12:30 a.m..
Video released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office showed the driver approach from the other side of the gas station parking lot. The driver then appeared to accelerate into the store’s entrance, where the man was standing.
An interior camera angle showed that the man was inside the store’s first set of doors, then was struck and propelled by the driver through the second set of doors. The man was launched more than 20 feet toward the back of the retail outlet.
A second camera inside the store showed that the man was pinned between the car and a metal structure as debris flew around the store. Two employees appeared shocked for a moment before both picked up phones and started making calls.
“The footage of the car smashing through this business and straight into a victim is jarring, to say the least,” Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement, according to Florida Jolt. “It is an absolute miracle that the person pinned by the car did not sustain more serious injuries, and we’re glad to hear he will be ok.”
The crash into the store “was done intentionally on the driver’s end,” a Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told TheBlaze.
Fire rescue crews reportedly responded to the incident, and both the victim and the driver were taken to hospital. Katosh was allegedly charged with criminal mischief of $1,000 or more, along with being subjected to the “Baker Act.”
The Baker Act allows a person to be involuntarily admitted to a mental health institution if he meets a certain set of prerequisites, such as posing a serious threat to himself or others.
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